So why am I doing this?
Like many people, I've donated to friends and colleagues' Just-Giving pages in the past to support their fundraising activities, but never really thought about doing something myself.
However, in July 2012 my brother was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's Disease at the grand age of 40..... Whilst he now faces a lifelong challenge in living with the effects of PD, I embarked on a smaller, temporary challenge of my own in order to raise money for Parkinsons UK and cycled from London to Paris over 4 days in 2013, raising an amazing £5,610 in the process. 2 weeks before setting-off, my son Adam asked me if I'd do it again - at the time I genuinely didn't think so since I'd heard it would be tough: but having thoroughly enjoyed myself and met new friends along the way, successfully arriving under the Eifel Tower without mishap, I didn't need to think for too long before signing-up for the 2014 event.
Adam didn't cycle nor own a road-bike, so he was starting from scratch, but despite this we both completed the 2014 event and enjoyed sharing the experience on our "Dad & Lad L2P Tour"!, meeting new friends and of course raising yet more money for Parkinson's - a further £3,400 from generous sponsors of our challenge.
So, it seems only fair that if I am to embark on yet another cycling challenge and fundraise, it should be my biggest challenge yet - so, cycling Death Valley, Nevada USA should fit the bill!
Parkinsons UK are striving to improve the lives of people who have this degenerative disease, and continue the relentless research into establishing a greater understanding into its causes, which will hopefully lead to more effective treatments and ultimately, a cure.
Click on the button below to visit the Parkinson's UK website.
