As most of you will know, every couple of years I undertake a challenge to try and raise money for charity. This year I have the dubious honour of “qualifying” for the Cro Magnon. This is a non stop Ultra Marathon across country from the Italian Ski Resort of Limone to the French Riviera resort of Cap D’Ail. It is 112km long, with 5.7km of vertical ascent and 6.7km of vertical descent and tackling mountains as high as 2500 metres. Every runner has to carry all the clothes, food and water that they need (around 7kg).  The race is not without its risks, so rest assured I have taken out 2 insurance policies dealing with helicopter repatriation and Martin Osbourne has kindly agreed to lend me his emergency Breitling watch / emergency tracking beacon! The time limit for the Cro is 27 hours. For more information (and proof of my registration) visit www.cromagnon-extremerace.net

Because this, by any normal standards, is an enormous undertaking, I intend to raise a vast sum of money and donate all of it to an exceptional cause, Cancer Research. Most of you will have had your lives touched by cancer in some way or other – I know I have, whether it be people you know or you yourself, and I am sure you will agree that the money raised could directly affect you in the future.

Cancer Research UK is the largest volunteer supported cancer research organisation in the world, and they support the work of 3000 scientists working in the UK.  Cancer Research UK's annual research spend is £213mm, raised almost entirely through public donations

Facts about cancer
1/ More than 1 in 3 people get cancer during their lifetime
2/ 1 in 4 people in the UK die of cancer - it is the biggest cause of death in the UK
3/ Between 1978 and 2007 mortality rates from cancer fell by 19%
4/ There are more than 300 types of cancer, but breast, prostate, lung and bowel account for >50% of new cases

Why Cancer Research UK?
Cancer mortality rates are falling and I want to help this trend continue. Cancer Research UK is the largest single fund of cancer research in the UK, spending over £300 million on research every year funding >4500 scientists, doctors and nurses. It’s as simple as that.

Please visit http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerandresearch/ for more information.

Please please please sponsor me.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK 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 me now!