Hello!

Welcome to what might be one of the most disastrous ideas of my life. On the 8th May, whatever the weather, I will attempt to cycle from Bude, on the north Devon coast, to Plymouth on the south Devon coast. It will be just under 45 miles over the rolling hills of Dartmoor, which have in store for me a wonderful 1,000m of climb.

I'll be accompanied by my trusty, rusty 5 year old mountain bike, and an assortment of clothes terrifically inappropriate for the task. 

I have not cycled for a long time, and I'm pretty unfit. It's going to be a hefty challenge but I am determined to complete it. 

But why Charley? Why?

This summer I'll be volunteering for 3 months for a charity called Restless Development. Before you dismiss this as some piece of Gap Yah, voluntouristic, sacrimonious tripe, please hear me out. 

Most importantly: none of the money I fundraise will be spent on buying things directly for my volunteering. It will go towards helping the charity enable others from the UK and other countries to volunteer. You are not donating to a 'Charley's summer holiday' fund.

The scheme is primarily funded by the government's Department for International Development, who have identified Restless Development, alongside 5 other charities, as an organisation whose volunteering scheme genuinely makes a difference to people's lives. They do not send people to stare at orphans or build libraries that will fall down after a spot of rain; they send people to change things in a realistic way.

Though they are assisted by the government, they must source some funding of their own. My cycle is in an effort to make a contribution. For more info on exactly how they make a difference, check out their website at http://www.restlessdevelopment.org/

It would be hugely appreciated if you could donate some money, even if it's only a quid or two. Your details are completely safe with this website and all of your donation money goes directly to the charity. You won't be spammed with emails (unless you choose to be) and you won't be haranged by telephone campaigners. In fact I don't think you have to put your number down anyway. But I can't confirm that. But either way. mm. 

If you've read this far down then you're great. If you now hit the donate button, then you're a hero (in my eyes anyway). 

Wish me luck.