Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.

My challenge is to raise £8,000 for Childline – the 24 hour helpline for children in danger or distress - an incredible and worthwhile cause. Every day ChildLine receives around 4,500 calls but due to lack of funds and resources is currently unable to answer around 2,000 of these.

I will be setting off in August 2008 for a 25 day endurance trip to all mainland member states of the European Economic Community, that's 24 countries in all! Covering some 9000 estimated miles, with a daily target of 400 miles, it will be one man and his bike, crossing borders and raising funds for what is a truly worthwhile cause.

Having completed a shakedown trip from my home in Cumbria to Gibraltar in March - 3241 miles in total - I gave myself a taster of things to come.  Details of this trip can be found here with a list of each country I will pass through.

Logistically this has been a long time in the planning - Travel Documentation, Security Status along with currency, language, vaccinations (yes - even in Europe!), local customs and the communications availability are just some of the preparations that I have been working on over the last 12 months!

Some might say this is just a few weeks of jolly good fun on a motorcycle - it could be and that's why I'm paying for it myself, but there is a serious side too, by embarking on this trip I am confident with your support that together we can not only make my target but exceed it – did you know that with £8,000 banked (less than £1.00 for every mile I cover), ChildLine would be able to make a difference to the lives of over 2,600 young people? Now that is something that you and I could be incredibly proud off.

With support from you, and by digging deep into your pocket, you can put the right pressure on me to succeed - the deeper you dig the more pressure.......

Please note: This journey is being fully funded by me, all equipment, travel, fuel, accommodation, insurances and supply of Coffee! So that every single penny rasied will go directly to those that need it.

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

Many thanks for your support.

You can find out more about my antics at www.smokingtailpipes.com . During my trip and keep up to date with my Blog, updated daily  from somewhere in Europe to tell you what I'm doing.

Once you have donated, why not enter the Mileage Game for a chance to win some great prizes?  Go to the main website for details

Your generosity will make a massive difference to many, many children's lives, and enable this great charity to continue, grow and ultimately answer even more children's calls.