This is the 4th Charity Cycle Ride that I have organised through Vietnam, my mother country. My life is a story which was shaped in London, but started in Saigon, and now I would like to take you on a journey through the rice fields of my youth.

I grew up with a Westernised experience of life because members of my family risked their lives in pursuit of freedom; freedom that we in the West have so taken for granted. I am all too aware that I could easily have been a statistic, a child who left Vietnam by boat with thousands of others. Not a day goes by without my feeling grateful for the incredible life that I have, and the fact that my three children have grown up in safety.

It has been 42 years since the end of the War, and in that time, Vietnamese enclaves and communities have established themselves around the world, and Vietnam has become a thriving country. Despite this national success, babies are still being born effected by Agent Orange, effected by a war that they had no part in. The orphanage that we will be visiting in Saigon is home to these babies and children who are in need of treatment and medical supplies - the funds that we raise will help pay for these. (www.kidswithnoborders.org)

We will also be raising money for Hestia (www.hestia.org), a charity which I have had the honour to work with. I have been able to go behind the scenes and personally witness their amazing work in providing safe houses and refuges for women and children who are survivors of trafficking and/or domestic abuse. Each year, Hestia's work saves many thousands of lives. Because of the massive cut backs in Government subsidies, fundraising is desperately needed to sustain their work. Sadly, the limited grants offered by the Government are wholly inadequate, which means that children never have the therapy and 1:1 help that is urgently needed to help them deal with, and recover from, the trauma of these abusive first few years of their young lives.

In 2017/18 Hestia need to raise another £33,000 for them to continue their work.

Many of these homeless children have never experienced a visit to the seaside, a day at the fun fair or just simple pleasures, like enjoying candy floss! They have been robbed of the innocent fun to which every child has a right, and have only experienced chaos, fear and suffering.

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The Challenge: We will be cycling approx 300-350 miles over 9 days through Vietnam. We shall start in the north, Hanoi, and cycle down to the south, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Most of the route is “off piste” and the road surface is uneven and can be difficult. There are a few challenging hills, which will require some grit and on some days the distance will require a little determination to complete...and watch out for the added challenge to deal with the heat, mozzies and dogs!

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I urge you please to just take a moment to reflect on how very blessed we all are and the privileged lives that our children enjoy and to support me on this challenge. Please dig deep as I need as much help as possible to raise a total of £5,000. Perhaps you could generously donate the cost of one coffee everyday for a month, one meal out with friends, that next drink down the pub, a new outfit or whatever else comes to mind.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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