Cancer doesn’t have favourites. You can look after yourself, keep fit, eat right and yet still get struck down in your prime by this most indiscriminate of diseases. We are starting to know a lot about it, and our knowledge gets better with every passing day and with every research pound that is donated.

But what about those who are living with cancer NOW? Promises of future breakthroughs and preventative medicine are all fine and dandy but how can we make life more tolerable for those struggling to live a normal day under its dark shadow?

We all know someone, be that friends or family, who are affected by the disease. And we can all do something about it. I’m not suggesting that you sit in the saddle for ten blistering days, but a small donation would certainly help!

My aim is to make £3200, but I hope to raise much more than this over the next twelve months. I’ve never done anything like this before so setting such a high fundraising target is more than a little daunting. I feel I’ll need every day available if I’m going to reach it, and all of your help and support – whether that’s in the form of sponsorship or just encouragement.

If I don’t make my target within a year, I’ll probably look at making up the shortfall out of my own pocket. I’m quite poor so please don’t make me do that!

My friend Peter Dalton (another biking nutter) is taking on the challenge too, so expect a bit of tin-rattling and publicity from both of us over the coming months.

I will be keeping a log of all our training in preparation for this 600km cycle ride. I think we’ll need the whole year to get our fitness upto the required level.

Follow our progress at: http://dcf.dj/category/mexico-challenge/
Or give online at: http://www.justgiving.com/dcf1

Let’s be real, here. Our money might just be just a drop in the ocean. But used correctly, it’s an investment: 

• £3,200 could fund a Macmillan nurse for 25 days, providing emotional and practical help to people affected by cancer and their families.
• £6,400 could fund a Welfare Benefits Advisor for 93 days. These advisors ensure that people affected by cancer can access the benefits they are eligible to claim. [There is loads of government money out there available to sufferers but most don't know it's there and can't access it.]
• Approximately £10,000 could pay for the Cancer Line to respond to over 900 emails, calls and letters from people affected by cancer and their families.
• Approximately £293,000 could pay for the Benefits Help for a year, allowing people affected by cancer to find out about the financial support that they are entitled to.