The Bourne Group has chosen to sponsor Shooting Star Chase as its partner charity for the coming year. Shooting Star Chase provides hospice care for children with life-limiting conditions (find out more here) and as part of our fundraising, members of our team will be taking part in different fundraising activities – from firewalking and running the London Marathon, to taking on the Crystal Maze and other more cerebral challenges. I have the “honour” of taking part in one of the first more physical events – the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 cycle ride on 31 July.

The event is now well-established and follows a tried and tested route from the Olympic Park at Stratford out via Richmond Park and Hampton Court to the Surrey Hills – including Newlands Corner, Leith Hill and the iconic Box Hill climbs – to return back through Kingston and Wimbledon (another hill!) to finish on The Mall. I have been training for a while now and feel hopeful that I can complete the whole ordeal within about six and a half hours. I attempted the route once before back in 2014 but the course was shortened to “only” 86 miles on the day due to terrible rain, hence my repeat this year – but never again!

I know that I have asked for sponsorship on behalf of various charitable causes in the past – although not for a few years now – but should you feel that you would like to make a donation to my fund-raising efforts on behalf of Shooting Star Chase, I, and the charity, would be most grateful. Shooting Star Chase is a local charity dedicated to providing support and care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families – a truly wonderful group of people working for a very deserving cause. (Find out more about the work they do here)

I will be riding dressed in a distinctive Shooting Star Chase/Bourne Group branded cycling top on the day so please give me a wave if you see me en route – although please don’t expect any lasting conversation in response as I shall probably be out of breath for the whole journey!

If you feel able to support my efforts for Shooting Star Chase, you can kindly donate by clicking on the button below: