On Friday 13th/Saturday 14th September over 150 Thomson's Online Benefits employees will be taking on the Thames in the Thomsons vs Thames Challenge, following its course, either on land or by water. 

Our team of 20 will be pedeljetting (http://www.pedal-jet.com) (see picture above) from Reading to Barnes Rugby Club in London, a total distance of 70 miles (the furthest anyone has ever gone in a pedel-jet) enduring an estimated  20 hours of pedalling along the way on non adjustable seats (not good for my long limbs). You can see what all the other teams are up to by visiting the main Thomson's fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/company/ThomsonsOnlineBenefits

The challenge obviously involves raising money for great causes. My chosen charity is The Perfect Day Foundation. Having worked with their two supporting charity organisations Sport In Action and EduSport in the Summer of 2012, I was able to see first hand the impact that the foundation is having on children in Lusaka. Children who have very little are given the opportunity to be part of a community within their sports team, learn key life skills such as teamwork, discipline, leadership and problem solving which in turns gives self-esteem and confidence to achieve their goals. I met a child at my placement school, living in one of the poorest compounds and was convinced he was going to be Zambian president - and I really do hope he is one day! The Perfect Day foundation also uses sport as a tool to educate children about HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that around 20% of people living in Lusaka have HIV/AIDS so the the ability to educate children about the danger in a interactive and engaging way is crucial. It is amazing how powerful sport can be within these communities and it will always hold a place in my heart. 

Any donation, however great or small would be fantastic and will make a real difference, believe me I have seen it in action!