In April 2009 I'll be attempting to ski and walk to the magnetic North Pole with my friend Nabs El-Busaidy in order to try and raise £50,000 for The Breast Cancer Campaign.

We'll be covering 350 nautical miles (650 kilometres) from Resolute Bay, Canada, to the 1996 location of the Magnetic North Pole. The expedition runs between 29 March and 4 May 2009, with the Race itself taking the competing teams approximately 4 weeks to complete.

In 2002 I lost my uncle to bowel cancer and the following year my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the best efforts of all the wonderful medical staff that treated her and my Aunt's determination to not let the cancer beat her, she passed away in 2005. I was serving overseas at the time; thankfully I was able to return home for her funeral.

Many families have similar stories: breast cancer is the most common cancer. One woman in nine will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime: the risk factors increase with age but it can affect a young woman in her twenties as well as later in life. Almost 12,500 women die from breast cancer each year in the UK alone.

To help I want to try and raise £50,000 for The Breast Cancer Campaign. I know that the target is ambitious but I don't think that it's unrealistic. All I ask is that if you're reading this please make a donation. Large or small, every penny is most gratefully received.

Our team now has a corporate sponsor, so every penny donated through this site will go directly to The Breast Cancer Campaign.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Breast Cancer Campaign gets your money faster and, if you're a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

 Thank you for your support.

 J-P