Why am I doing this? I love cycling and have just spent 2 weeks enjoying Austrian cycle-paths (and Austrian food and beer!) This challenge will test me (I've not done more than 57 miles in a day before) and help me prepare for this year's target - 100 miles in a day. But that's all about me!

By doing this, and with your help, I'll be able to do something that really helps others who desperately need it. I know we're all living through tough times, with many problems on our doorstep. But I can't forget that in the UK and other parts of western Europe we're relatively priviledged - we have systems that should cope and support us. In many other places, there's nearly nothing. If we truly are 'all in it together', then that applies globally! Just have a look at http://www.mercycorps.org.uk/aboutus - it's far more eloquent than I can be.