Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. On 10 May I'm going on a ten-day bike ride across rocky Namibian desert to raise money for wildlife conservation and to help preserve local communities in Namibia. WORTHY LOCAL CAUSE: I'm raising money for Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia (SRT), http://rhino-trust.org.na/. Donations will be channeled to SRT via the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), a registered UK charity, so that UK taxpayers can benefit from an extra 28% in Gift Aid. I'll be riding through Damaraland, home to black rhino, elephant, lion, and a wealth of other game species uniquely adapted to survive the world's most ancient desert, the Namib. The Rhinos are the 'Desert Adapted Rhino' a unique and very rare subspecies of the black rhino. They are on the brink of extinction because of loss of habitat and poaching for their horns (to make handles for ornamental daggers and as a Far Eastern remedy to reduce fever). By saving these rhinos, we also help save many other species and the incredible landscape they inhabit. Funds raised will also go towards building an Education and Information Centre in support of local tribal communities. I am funding the trip myself so 100% of donations go straight to SRT. POUND OF FLESH: A lot of people feel they deserve a bit of pain for their donations, and I agree. To further earn them, I have also signed up to do the Etape of the Tour de France this year. This is a one-day hill stage of the Tour run over the same course the day before the actual Tour. This year is special as it finishes with the ascent of the legendary 'Geant', Mt Ventoux in the southern Rhone. So after 160 km of ups and downs the final 22km of the race is the 2000m ascent of this infamous peak, where winds of 310 km/h have been recorded. In the words of a pro magazine: '...You can have a terrible time on this mountain. It's notorious for being a killer. Alpe d'Huez has its hairpins, as does the Stelvio (making them easier). The gradient of the Mortirolo in Italy has reduced 60kg grimpeurs to tears and the Hautacam has forced exhausted riders to a standstill - but nothing can match the brutal and unrelenting struggle that is in store for you when tackling the Geant.' PRIZES: Make a donation and you could win a prize. I'll be giving away two large framed prints of my favourite photo from Namibia: one for the biggest single donation (or funds raised by one person) and one to be drawn from a hat from anyone giving 20 pounds or more. So please sponsor me now and follow progress on this site. Winners will be announced after my return on 22 May. THANK YOU! ROB