In 2008 I participated in L'Etape du Tour - the stage of the Tour de France that's opened-up to amateurs to ride a few days in advance of the professional riders.  It took me 9 hrs 30 mins (I avoided elimination at the foot of the last mountain climb by just 2 minutes!).  It proved to be the hardest physical challenge I've ever attempted (including the 2 marathons I've run since 2003).  I intend to participate in the event again in 2010 (covering 100+ miles and ascending 3 mountains in the Pyrenees) to raise £1500 which will help to provide a simple procedure and a future for 10 children via a charity called The Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org.uk). 

Each £150 collected provides hope for an affected child by giving them a simple, but life-changing operation.   

The Smile Train is focused on transforming the lives of children in developing countries who are born with cleft lip and palate.

Cleft lips/palates are a major problem in developing countries where there are millions of children who are suffering with unrepaired clefts.  Most cannot eat or speak properly,  They aren’t allowed to attend school or hold a job and face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache.

The good news is every single child with a cleft can be helped with surgery that costs as little as £150 and takes as little as 45 minutes.  This is the charity's mission:
  
 -To provide free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries.
 -To provide free cleft-related training for doctors and medical professionals.
 
Please consider making a contribution - a few quid will fund an operation on a child that will instantly transform their life and give them a future.