1000mile EURO CHARITY CYCLE

I have just completed the furthest distance so far on the bike as part of my training, which was 45miles, going from Pirbright to Headley Court and back again. Didn’t go too bad, but the final 5miles or so, was bloody agonising. It took 2hours and 50mins which is also the longest time in the saddle to date. With the plan being to cover 60miles in 4hours during the cycle, this would put me right on track to be able to do that, HOWEVER the fact that my knees are now in agony and i am completely wiped out does not lend itself well to the fact that if i was on the cycle ride now, i would be going out again in 8hours to do another 60miles!! Keep on training, 6weeks to go!

On top of that it seems to be taking its toll at home now, what with being busy at work and dedicating all of my time to the recruits, then working late at night to catch up with things to do with the event, it is not leaving any time for the family! Cina (my loving wife) is very patient, but even she is being tested to the max at the moment and its going to get worse the closer we get. We are pretty strong, although we have had rough times since being at Pirbright, this place tests even the strongest marriages/relationships, just hope we can manage to fight through to the end.

Well here we are 4weeks after the site went live, i have finally found the time and worked out how to start this blog!  So where shall i begin?  The story must start with explanations of the reasons why i chose the two charities, well it started off with Macmillan Cancer over ten years ago when i had just started in the Army, we had the choice of donating some of our wage to a charity and to be honest at the time i only chose Cancer as i didn’t like the other charities! oh to be stupid and naive, how glad i am that i grew up!  It wasn’t until my younger cousin Laura got diagnosed with Cancer and then My Nan died of it that i really started to wake up and take notice.  Since then my cousin died of the Cancer aged only 22 and it really struck home the suffering and devastation of it all.  I wanted to make a difference, wanted to try and ease my own pain, whilst maybe easing others too.  i wasn’t there for Laura, her mum or family, i was and am ashamed of that and always will be. 

I am amazed and in awe of the courageous people who help those who suffer from this terrible disease, but even more of those who battle on through, tackle it face on and in alot of cases survive, but those who don’t, those poor soles, how they deserved so much more.  People say “us soldiers” are brave and courageous, we just do our jobs, jobs we CHOSE to do, Cancer sufferers have NO CHOICE, but they battle on and manage to smile in the face of adversity, THEY are the courageous ones, THEY are the brave and THEY deserve our respect and admiration.

To this end i compare them to the Men and Women of the Armed Forces who put their lives on the line for those who are weaker and to try to make this world a better place, forget POLITICS, we just want to do whats right and protect those who can’t protect themselves, is that so wrong?  So when they suffer terrifying, life changing injuries and still battle on with a smile on their face and heads held high, then THEY are also the courageous ones, THEY are the brave and THEY most certainly deserve all the support and care that this country could possibly give.

I have lost loved ones to Cancer and know friends who have also lost loved ones to this terrible disease and i also have friends and know friends who have been injured and helped by HelpForHeroes.  The sufferers are worlds apart but at the same time so very close, they really do deserve OUR support in any which way we can and i am determined to help them as much as i can.  I am no angel and have made some really bad choices in life, mistakes have been made and by no way am i proud of some things i have done, however that is in the past and the Army has made me what i am today, i cant change my past but i may be able to help some have a better future, please help me to achieve this.