My LDN to PRS

So that's it, it's official, the year really does start here. Happy Birthday to me and all that.

My plans are coming together to make this a year of 'getting fit and doing stuff', but it's not just about me. Something started all of this off last year that made me take stock of life in general.  The sad news of the death of an old friend, a bloody good fella who had made me laugh and helped my business start up in the late 90's made me realise that life wasn't something you should wait for.

On August 9th 2014, Andrew Charlton or as I always knew him Andy Jarrod, was killed whilst out riding his bike in Northumberland. As the news filtered through the music industry grapevine, my husband and I were in shock that something so awful could happen to someone who had been so important to us. He never knew that and I guess I'd always thought that at some point in the future we'd all get together, remember the good times (and the bad) and say how important he was to us. But after hearing the news it was a harsh reminder to never let a moment go by that you don't treasure or value, to try to do something to make your life count.

Andy's wife Katy was left with their two and half year old son Oscar and two month old twins Eleanor and Chloe in the knowledge that this quirky, funny, family man wouldn't be there to see the kids grow up but she made a final decision for Andy that day. He was a registered organ donor and had discussed his wishes with Katy, since his death five people who were on the donor waiting list have been recipients of his organs.

There's absolutely nothing I can do to change what's happened to Andy or help with his family's sadness, but on the 22nd of July I will start a bike ride from London to Paris in Andy's memory. I'll cover around 80 miles per day over a four day period and to be honest I'm fearful for my ass cheeks. I'm as rubbish a cyclist as I was a runner but I completed the London Marathon in 2010 and will take on this new challenge and give it 100%. I have to, I owe it to Andy, this is my way of saying just how much he meant to me and my husband.

My aim is to raise £2000 for cystic fibrosis, (Andy's little boy suffers from the disease) and to raise awareness of the organ donor register.

https://www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Whittaker-Gilbey/

I'd love it if you would sponsor me, even just a few quid would help. I'd also really love it if you made sure at some point soon you spoke to your loved ones and had a difficult but important conversation and told them if you would like to donate after your death. 

Thanks for reading

Read Organ Donation: Andy's Last Wish