Paul Carruthers

I’m the chief protagonist. I’ve roped the others into punishing themselves on a 570 mile bike ride and a swim across the channel by bribing them with the promise that they’ll feel an enormous sense of accomplishment after doing it. There’s also the lure of unlimited Curly Wurly’s en route.

Actually that last bit is a lie. Unless Cadbury’s want to send us a load, there’ll be no Curly Wurly’s. Sorry.

But the sense of accomplishment will be there.

I completed a Land’s End to John O’Groats ride in 2009 (in 10 days) and I know what it feels like to raise money for a charity. It feels wonderful. The brilliance of the ride itself is a by product, as are the fitness and health benefits – it’s really all about raising that money to help other people.

The motivation to get on my bike came from my brother and sister-in-law (husband and wife) both being diagnosed with cancer within 8 months of each other. Pedalling a few miles was just something I felt I had to do. The LEJOG ride raised over £8,000 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation and Fanconi Hope and I’m immensely proud of the achievement.

Now it’s time to do it again. This time I felt that I’d like to do more for Fanconi Hope as they are a new, small charity who are trying to gain awareness about Fanconi Anaemia. A worthy cause amongst many worthy causes.

And once this is done? I’ve got my sights set on coast to coast USA in 2012 or 2013.

My ride: A 2009 Specialized Roubaix Elite. Garmin 705 GPS.