- British Heart Foundation - my dad died of a heart attack at the age of 62
- National Autistic Society - my nephew is severely autistic
- Cancer Research UK - no particular reason. I just know it can be a bit of a sod and I thought people might be happy to donate to it!
Fitness History
Like most people I used to cycle as a boy. I was always quite keen on fitness but it wasn't until I moved to London that I realised I could get to work more quickly on a bike! From Crouch End in North East London to Barons Court in South West about 40 minutes on a bike, 1 hour on the tube and up to 2 hours by car! No contest! However, when I moved back to Leeds a few years later I didn't touch a bike for ages. Aged about 30 though I decided to get back into it. I owned a series of cheap racers; a Raleigh Quasar, followed by a Raleigh Record Sprint, a Raleigh R200 and finally a Trek 1400.
Generally speaking I need a challenge to get me active or I'd turn into a couch potato. Between 2000 and 2006 I completed the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride, raising over £3,000. I'd also competed in the Leed Half Marathon a couple of times and Kirkstall Abbey Dash. I am also qualified as a personal trainer and used to run circuit classes 3 times a week at a college where I was employed and dabbled in boxing and kick-boxing.
Lands End to John o Groat's is an ambition harboured by many. It was first cycled about 1880. The record is held by Andy Wilkinson who in 1990 cycled the 874 miles in 1 day, 21 hours, 2 minutes and 18 seconds! Pauline Strong (well she'd have to be wouldn't she?) holds the women's record - 2 days, 6 hours, 49 minutes and 45 seconds!