Some things have changed from last year. The world is in recession and banks have been bailed out to the tune of billions of pounds. Many in the UK and across the world have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. 

The recession has hit the world's poor the hardest.  Food prices have soared, the demand for raw materials is down and many governments are cutting their aid budgets.  The world has not rushed to support the world's poor as it has the banking system in the north. That's why it is even more important to support Christian Aid's work which provides direct support to affected communities and campaigns for changes to the system that keep people poor and voiceless in many parts of the world. 

As head of Christian Aid's Humanitarian Division I am responsible for all Christian Aid's emergency and disaster risk reduction work.  I know that the work that we do is excellent.  I know that it benefits those in greatest need.  I have seen it for myself.  Our emergency work provides immediate relief to help people cope with the disaster.  But we don't just help people through the disaster.  We support people to help themselves so that they can become stronger, less vulnerable and better able to cope with future disasters and provide a brighter future for their families.

I have also seen how effective our campaigning and advocacy work has been.  Campaigning on climate change is key.  It has resulted in governments taking action on carbon emissions but much more needs to be done.  I have just returned from Kenya and Ethiopia where climate change is having a devastating effect on the lives of poor farmers.  Rainfall is erratic which has resulted in crops withering once planted. Pastoralists are having to travel hundreds of miles with their animals to find water and pasture.  All say the climate has changed very rapidly.  Our campaigning work is now more important than ever.

So again I will be cycling 300 miles in four days to support Christian Aid's work.

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

If you would like to know more about Christian Aid's work please email me on nguttmann@christian-aid.org or visit the Christian Aid website on www.christian-aid.org 

Thank you very much indeed for your support.

Nick