After 5 days of cycling in a searing heat wave throughout the UK, the whole team completed the Investec Ashes Cycle Challenge with a smile on their face and a tear in their eye!

I only did 3 days due to childcare arrangements, but it was a privilege to be involved in the event. It was certainly a challenge and slightly harder than we all expected, particularly over the Pennines and Peak District hills in the 30+ degree heat.

I’m delighted to confirm that due to everyone’s generosity we should have raised around £250,000 for various charities. I have raised £2615 – or £2888.75 with Gift Aid – of which 75% will go to CRY and 25% to the official charity of the event, The Lord Taverners.

I did the ride to raise funds for CRY in memory of my late brother Nick. Nick died 18 months ago at the age of 37, from what we later found to be a blocked artery which caused his heart to stop. There were no prior symptoms, just sudden cardiac arrest whilst he was sleeping.

A video of former England cricketer Mike Gatting’s interview at Lord’s about the challenge, can be seen here.

Christopher Clay