Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, I hope you will dig deep as it is for a very good cause.

As part of the most elaborate exit strategies in history, this forthcoming summer I will undertaking the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon (http://tempuri.org/tempuri.html).  It is an exhilarating test of stamina, strength and fitness through some of the most spectacular and historic areas of the Scottish Highlands.

To complete the course you must...

Swim - 1.5k (0.8 miles) to North side of Loch Tay

Run/Walk - seven Munro's encompassing the Lawers and Ptarmigan Ridges to Morenish (approx 24k or 15 miles)

Kayak - 11k (7 miles) back to Ardtalnaig

Cycle - around Loch Tay 54k (34 miles)

and then, energy levels permitting, slice a melon in two - with a sword to stop the clock.

So before I ask you to give up some of your hard-earned cash, here is a quick precis of the charity I am raising money for.

Mercy Corps is a team of 3700 professionals who help turn crisis into opportunity for millions around the world. By trade, they are engineers, financial analysts, drivers, community organisers, project managers, public health experts, administrators, social entrepreneurs and logisticians. In spirit, they are activists, optimists, innovators and proud partners of the people they serve.

Providing support to some of the most deprived areas all over the world Mercy Corps works with communities to shelter and nurture children through innovative education, health and nutrition programmes. Teaching the next generation and keeping them healthy are essential to tomorrow's strong, vibrant societies.  They also work to not only help families rebuild after the destruction of war, but also manage friction points and find solutions so shots are never fired. And whilst the spread of HIV/AIDS threatens to take millions more lives, reverse development gains in dozens of poor countries and imperil progress on critical global issues, Mercy Corps is not only supporting awareness and prevention, but also helping people with HIV/AIDS in their fight for dignity, justice and economic opportunity.