WELCOME TO THE 18-COUNTIES

                  FUND-RAISING PAGE

Well, we did it! The six of us - Colin Bateman, David Lloyd, Ian Todd, Alan Dracey, Tom Bateman and Jack Bateman - cycled around the 18 First Class county cricket headquarters, a trip of 1,099 miles in 16 days.

Six punctures was not bad going for more than 1,000 miles and the aching limbs were forgotten in a sense of achievement fuelled by a few pints here and there along the way.

Starting on September 13, we made it  from the Brit Oval to Lord's the long way round. Along the way we aimed to raise funds for two charities that do vital work.

We undertook his unique venture because of our cricket connections. Colin and David are cricket correspondents at the Daily Express and London Evening Standard respectively. Toddy, the veteran of our peloton, was the Sun's cricket man before he retired. The other three intrepid riders all love the game too.

Because of that link with cricket we thought we should raise money for two cricket-related charities and would urge you to give to both if you can.

Here you can support the Laurie Engel Fund which is helping the Teenage Cancer Trust to build a special unit at the Birmingham Children's Hospital for sick teenagers.

The other charity is Head's Up, a research programme devoted to tackling cancers of the throat and head and supported by Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England cricket team.

To support Heads Up please go to David Lloyd's Just Giving page, the address of which is:
www.justgiving.com/davidtofflloyd

Donating through this site is simple and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Teenage Cancer Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us.

Many thanks for your support - The 18 Counties Team.