Having never taken part in a charity challenge before (or not since I was a kid) I'm doing a bike ride in Egypt to support two terrific charities - ChildLine and Nordoff-Robbins Musical Therapy.  I have been working with the NSPCC and ChildLine for several years now to help them build a service whereby children who are suffering abuse can reach out online and by text, as well as by phone.  It's an enormously important cause, and one I feel passionate about.  I'm delighted that this year our dream of a full national roll-out is turning into reality, but of course we need money to make sure that no child's voice goes unheard.

I'm also delighted to be raising money for Nordoff-Robbins Musical Therapy.  Music is a great love of mine, and helping children through the therapy of music is a wonderful thing to do.  You can find out more about them if you wish at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/ and www.childline.org.uk/  (Note please that Nordoff Robbins will pay half of the profits to Childline from their collections here and elsewhere)

We set off on Jan 21 2010 for Aswan, Egypt, arriving quite late, then up early the next day to spend the morning choosing and checking our bikes, which are supplied, and add necessities like a gel saddle to avoid the total destruction of our nether regions. Over the following 48 hours we will cycle over 100 miles more or less along the Nile ending up in Luxor, where survivors will take a deep bath, apply various muscle creams and perhaps a few celebratory beers.

I do hope you will feel able to generously support me in this challenge so as to raise as much as possible for Childline and Nordoff Robbins. I have set myself the very challenging target of £10,000, so really appreciate your help in reaching this.  l will of course be paying the £1400 cost of the trip personally so all donations will go straight to the charities.

Thank you

Philip