As some of you know, I've signed up to travel with two companions in a rickshaw offering an incredible seven brake-horsepower.  We will set off from the foothills of the Himalayas and hope to snake along over 2000 miles of bumpy Indian road through the east coast and down to Pondicherry on the southern tip of India, taking in mountains, deserts and monsoons along the way.

Bear in mind that this is entirely unsupported, with no protection offered to us from truckers high on opium, dodgy food and opportunistic thieves.

If that wasn't enough, I'm also doing a 48 mile bike ride within days of returning, from Reigate to Brighton.  Although the roads should be slightly better, they will still be winding and hilly.  And I will very much be hoping my backside hasn't suffered too much from the comfort of the rickshaw and the finest curries India has to offer.

I'm doing all this in the name of DELTA, a charity I support.  They are a small dedicated team with a group of volunteers (including myself) who aim to support parents bringing a deaf child into a hearing world.  At an early stage, particularly, there are a host of unanswered questions and fears for the parents.  DELTA's summer schools aim to educate the parents, and offer an opportunity for lots of social interaction for the children.  I believe this is a really important charity, and similar support for my parents when I was a toddler helped me become the person I am today.  The availability of the summer schools relies entirely on the donations the charity gets - at a week long with hundreds of people, they especially require lots of donations!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: DELTA (Deaf Education through Listening and Talking) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!