The Red Cross is the world’s largest independent humanitarian organisation with 20 million volunteers across 186 countries who are recruited locally to help vulnerable people prepare for, survive and recover from disasters. In recent years the Red Cross has provided aid to victims of a number of natural disasters: the Asian tsunami, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone and Australian bushfires. Current causes include the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, the Chile Earthquake Appeal, and the Darfur Crisis Appeal.  As it is neither a political nor religious organisation, it is able to operate in parts of the world other organisations cannot reach. The Red Cross's unparalleled network of community-based volunteers and staff plays a vital role in carrying out its care, prevention and preparedness programmes – from visiting chronically ill HIV patients in Africa to organising early warning drills in hurricane-prone areas of the Americas. The Red Cross also plays a key role in the promotion of humanitarian values and international humanitarian law; protecting people in areas of armed conflict who are not participating in the hostilities.

Finally, if none of the above has inspired you to empty your wallets, spare a thought (and a donation) for the courageous David Knott who will be undertaking this challenge with 5 girls, or indeed for Duncan Moran who will not only be pilot of the Vauxhall Zafira ferrying the troops down the M6 (bombing along at 70 plus 70 tops), but more importantly whipping up a culinary storm (gourmet delights to include tesco sandwiches, energy drinks, bacon grilled over the Zafira engine and luke-warm beans, all served with a side salad of inspirational team talks and rousing rhetoric).

Please dig deep - this won't be easy! 

Thanks very much for your support.