I always like a challenge, whether it’s at work or in my spare time. This summer I’m doing two challenges in aid of charity:

• 17 June 2007 – cycling 56 miles on the London to Brighton bike ride – I did this ride for the first time last year and really enjoyed myself. It got me back into cycling and I’ve been riding most weeks since.
• 2 September 2007 – running my first marathon in the Kent Coastal Marathon – I’ve done a couple of half-marathons but now it’s time for the full distance. A real challenge, both mentally and physically, but one I’m really looking forward to.

The charities that I am raising money for are:

• British Heart Foundation – a UK national charity supporting pioneering research, vital prevention activity and ensuring quality care and support for people living with heart disease.
• Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent – a Kent charity that provides palliative care for patients and their families in East Kent. Founded in 1982, the hospices are raising money this year towards their 25th anniversary appeal.
• Luke Pellant Memorial Fund – raising money for The Leukaemia Research Fund, Make-a-Wish Foundation and Diana Community Children’s Nursing team. The fund was set up in memory of Luke Pellant, son of a colleague of mine at Medway Council, who bravely fought leukaemia for three years but sadly lost his battle on 7 September 2003 aged 13.

If you would like to sponsor me and help me raise money for these good causes then you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/simonwakeman. 

Thanks in advance for your support.

[tags]London+to+Brighton+bike+ride, Thanet+Coastal+Marathon, sponsorship[/tags]