The William Wates Memorial Trust keeps alive the memory of William Wates, who was killed in 1996 while travelling in Central America. Out of that loss, his family built something remarkable: a charity dedicated to helping young people who face severe disadvantage stay away from anti-social behaviour and crime, and go on to fulfil their potential. After thirty years in policing, I have seen first hand how easily a young life can drift the wrong way, and how much difference the right support at the right moment can make. That is exactly what the Trust sets out to provide.

The Trust does not run projects itself. Instead, it funds small, effective charities working directly with young people, through sport, music and the arts, mentoring and education. Every year it supports dozens of organisations, from sports foundations to youth adventure programmes and groups working to tackle knife crime. When I visited Pentonville to see the work of XO Bikes, I saw what this looks like in practice: people being given skills, purpose and a genuine second chance. Since it began, the Trust has made grants of over £6 million.

Much of that money has come from cyclists. Le Loop and its forerunner, Tour de Force, have raised more than £6 million for the Trust since 2006, with riders like me tackling the Tour de France route a week ahead of the professionals. Every rider pays their own costs, so the money you give goes to the Trust and the young people it supports, not to my trip. When the climbs get hard next summer, that is what will keep me turning the pedals, and every donation, large or small, helps.

The William Wates Memorial Trust