It's nearly a year since the 2014 Tour de France started in Leeds. From 1-3 May the professional cyclists are back to compete in the first Tour de Yorkshire which is organised by the people from the Tour.
On Sunday 3 May I am cycling the Tour de Yorkshire Ride which is a ride for amateur cyclists that follows a similar route to stage 3 of the professional event. The amateur route is 142 km long and includes 2636 metres of climbing (88 miles and 8650 feet in old money).
FC United of Manchester is a community football club owned and democratically run by its members.It is unique at its level of English football in having its obligations to its fan communities and local communities written into its Constitution. The club was awarded Cooperative UK's Cooperative Excellence Award in 2009 for its cutting edge work with local communities.
FC United seeks to change the way that football is owned and run, putting supporters at the heart of everything. It aims to show, by example, how this can work in practice by creating a sustainable, successful, fan-owned, democratic football club that creates real and lasting benefits to its members and local communities. The development of a new community football and sports ground in Moston is a vital element in that journey.
FC United needs to raise around £50,000 to fund the fitting out and furnishing of the Moston ground. I hope you will feel able to sponsor my cycle ride by donating whatever you can afford to FC United.