Last year I foolishly, perhaps drunkenly, agreed to take part in Rat Race - Dirty Weekend This is a 20-mile, 200-obstacle assault course.

Many of you will know about my low level of fitness, high level of alcohol consumption, and predilection for puddings - if I've not seen you for a while, I can tell you these have only got worse. Add in a dodgy back and an elbow infection, and you'll realise how singularly unprepared I am for this punishing ordeal.

Despite this, I paid my registration and now I'm stuck doing it, so I thought I might as well do it for charity. People and Planet is the largest student network in the UK, campaigning to defend human rights and protect the environment. From a modest HQ in Oxford they empower a huge amount of students nationwide with the campaigning skills to bring real pressure on institutions to change their practices.

The way they train so many volunteers across the country convinces me that donating to P&P represents the best value for money in a charitable donation that you could hope for - so please give whatever you can!

Thanks for reading.

Rory