Updated on May 3rd 2010 at 3:53 AM using the JustGiving iPhone app

Finished thanks to support from snickers, lucozade and flapjacks

Now I've always believed charity starts at home, which is why anything over the £700 target will be going towards a comfy seat for my bike.

But people change and maybe I've grown up a little because I'm pleased to be supporting a charity like Fairbridge.

It works with young people living on the margins of society, disadvantaged youngsters maybe with an unstable home life, possible substance abuse, exclusion from education and an existence short on hope.

Instead of just giving out money, it gives young people a sense of identity and a sense that hard work will pay off eventually.

The truth is I know how it feels to experience a disadvantaged childhood (to an extent).

As a youth growing up in inner city Great Ayton, we too were marginalised from society. It was a good 30 minute drive to the nearest McDonalds, the cinema too was quite a distance away and we couldn't buy alcohol from the shops because our parents were friends with the people who worked there.

The challenge itself involves mountain biking for 4 hours, walking up Helvellyn and then canoeing around Ullswater.

This should take nine hours (ha).

Yes, that's nine hours of solid exercise; how can I train for that?

My gym  isn't even open that long during the day.

I've just hoping they provide us with sherpas because there is no way I can carry a picnic big enough to sustain me for a full nine hours of physical endurance.

So please give generously and don't forget I also have asthma (that's got to be worth an extra fiver).

Training update

Due to adverse weather conditions (bit rainy but I'm sure it'll be fine in the Lake District come May) I had a go on my bike on an indoor trainer.

Intriguingly I got a puncture and had no repair patches; am I the only person in the world who can get a bike puncture on an indoor trainer?

Is this not a sign?

Should I refund money now?

Luckily I'd just bought some crumpets so decided to work on the calorie intake part of my training plan therefore the evening was far from wasted

Training update - 29/4/10

Some say you should never judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes.

I say you certainly wouldn't want to walk a mile in my shoes because you'll get sore feet.

Somehow I've managed to pull my toe - you'd think that was impossible but when I walk my toe hurts.

I didn't even know you could pull muscles in your toes or maybe I'm such a finely honed athlete that even the smallest action can upset my muscular balance.

Whatever the problem it looks like I'll have a sore toe for Sunday so couple that with a big tummy and we have a winning combination - I just hope they've got paramedics.