As a Consultant Gastroenterologist at St Mark's Hospital in Harrow, I am referred patients with abdominal pain, weight loss and symptoms related to opening their bowels, such as rectal bleeding, every day. I am often saddened to learn just how long such people have been enduring these symptoms, often hoping that their "piles" or the "tummy bug" will settle down. These are the indicators of sometimes advanced colon cancer. Our challenge is to educate the public to seek medical help earlier and get checked when the advanced innovative colonoscopic and surgical techniques available at St Mark's can effect the real prospect of cure without need for chemoradiotherapy or a stoma. Friends who have approached me informally for help, in whom I have diagnosed colon cancer, have inspired me to exchange the colonoscope for the bicycle in this, my greatest physical challenge - a 280 mile ride in the shape of the large intestine over 4 days between 27-30th May. It will be a tiring and painful experience for me, but essentially rewarding, and I will be with a team of inspirational people to help me through to the end, in the ARSEnal Stadium. The money raised will help me and my colleagues avert more unnecessary deaths from this preventable disease and my personal colon challenge will have been worth every gruelling moment. Thank you for your support!