Peter Gubbins, managing director of GTR, is preparing for a 272-mile challenge in memory of two friends and in aid of two charities.

The cycle ride, which is being supported by Team Sky, will set off from Padstow to Wandsworth Common and will take three days to complete.

Peter says: “Few people will be unaware of the tragic boat accident that occurred in Padstow in Cornwall, England, during the 2013 May Bank Holiday weekend. My friend Nicko and his daughter Emily Milligan both lost their lives that day. Nicko’s wife Victoria and their youngest son suffered serious leg injuries and, although their other two daughters were left with only minor injuries, all four survivors have suffered tremendous loss. Thanks to Victoria’s remarkable positivity and strength, she and the three surviving children are slowly learning to live with this loss. However, for them and for many people – whether close to this lovely family or not – that tragic day will never be forgotten.

“I have set this Virgin Giving page up: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PeteGubbins in memory of Nicko and Emily Milligan. I am joining more than 120 of their other friends and family on an ambitious cycle ride from Padstow to Wandsworth Common, close to the family’s London home. This will require many hundreds of hours of training and the 272-mile course will itself take three days to complete. We are being supported by Team Sky which has experience of professionally running these sorts of cycling events – Nicko was a senior executive at BSkyB. You can see more details about the cycle ride at www.milliganbikeride.com/.

“We are undertaking the cycle ride to raise money for the RNLI (The Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and Child Bereavement UK, two charities that have supported Victoria and her children and each day provide invaluable support to many others. Websites: www.rnli.org and www.childbereavement.org.uk.”

Peter adds: “Anything that you can do to help would be hugely appreciated. Equally, if you think that the story/cause would resonate with anybody else you know please can you kindly send my link on as you feel appropriate.

“Many thanks in advance for your kind consideration.”