WITH less than a month to go until the Julia House hospice to hospice cycle ride Gazette web editor Bruno Clements has been training hard.

Bruno, 54, who lives in Devizes, has been out in all winds and weather preparing for the ride on June 12 that will started in Dorset and finish in Devizes.

He said: “With a week’s holiday in April, followed by a stinking cold, my training hasn’t gone as well as planned.

“The full route from Dorset to Devizes and back is hilly so there’s no getting away from having to ride up a few hills in training. Milk Hill - between Alton Barnes and Lockeridge - and Bowden Hill, just outside Lacock, are the two biggest climbs around here so I’ve been up and down them a few times.

“I took part in the Wye Warrior sportive two weeks ago and really suffered on the climbs. It was a cold day, with a couple of hours of rain, and I still felt a bit weak from the illness.

“On Sunday I battled out to Lockeridge against a headwind but the reward was being blasted back to Devizes with the wind behind me, setting several personal bests along the way."

To sponsor him visit: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Bruno.Clements

Also taking part in the ride will be Julia’s House Parent Ambassador Charles Andrews.

He is inviting people to join him in the event from the Julia’s House hospice in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, to the site of its new children’s hospice in Devizes 62 miles away.

Charles, whose daughter Katherine, 12, receives care from Julia’s House, will be cycling with work colleagues from engineering firm Meggitt.

He said: “I’ve never done anything sponsored before and am certainly no fitness fanatic, but the opportunity to help Julia’s House raise some much needed funds to support their fantastic work felt like an opportunity not to be missed. It feels like a win-win for Julia’s House and me personally.

“I know what a difference Julia’s House makes to my daughter and how her eyes light up at the prospect of spending a day, or better still a sleepover, at Julia’s House, and it also gives us a chance to do something special with our son which might not otherwise be practical for the whole family.

“I whole-heartedly encourage you to sign up this event – like me you can have the fun of the ride and the satisfaction of knowing you have done something wonderful for families who really need your support.”

Cyclists of all abilities are welcome to join Charles and can choose from a 100km (62 miles) route or a longer stretch of 200km (124 miles) that includes a loop of the New Forest.

There will be free transport back to the start line for riders and bikes should they want it and supporters who raise £200 or more will get the added bonus of a free Hospice to Hospice cycling jersey.

To find out more or to register, visit www.juliashouse.org or call Challenge Events Fundraiser Hannah Miller on 01202 644220. To support Charles by making a donation please visit his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Charles-Andrews1