On 13 December 2009 we will (somewhat rashly) be attempting to drive from London to Limbe in Cameroon in a thoroughly unsuitable 1.1 litre Peugeot 205, which will probably be held together with chewing gum, gaffa tape and ladies fishnet tights (don't ask). Along the way we will be contending with some of the worst excuses for roads on the planet, minefields, corrupt border guards, bandits and the occasional marauding camel. Oh, and there's this sandy bit called the Sahara desert in the way as well. Our exact route is as yet undecided, mainly so we can keep an eye out for any civil wars/border closures/coups that might spring up in the next few months. Confidence remains high...

The motivation behind this ambitious/foolhardy undertaking, other than the fact that we're a bit silly, is to raise lots of money for a highly deserving charity.

The Rainforest Foundation tackles deforestation locally and globally. Locally it helps forest communities to gain land rights, challenge logging companies and manage forests for their own wellbeing and protection of their environment. Globally it campaigns to influence national and international laws to protect rainforests and their inhabitants.

Every year an area of rainforest the size of England and Wales is cut down.

This leaves local people homeless, drives animals and plants to extinction and releases more CO2 emissions, which cause climate change, than all of the world’s planes, trains and cars.

We will hopefully be able to visit the charity in Cameroon when we arrive and see first hand the good work that all of your donations are doing. Obviously all the money that is donated will go straight to the charity, we are covering the costs of the trip ourselves.

Anything that you can contribute will be much appreciated, please be generous.

Thank you

Mike and Mark