I am raising funds for MAG (Mines Advisory Group) because I am a huge believer in the works carried out, and because the need is so great. MAGs vision is a safe and secure future for men, women and children affected by armed violence and conflict. MAG has worked in more than 40 countries since 1989, to save lives and build futures by:

 - Reclaiming land contaminated with remnants of conflict, such as landmines, cluster munitions, bombs, shells and mortars;

- Finding ways to reduce the daily risk of death or injury for civilians; and

- Creating safe and secure conditions for development.

So, what’s the challenge? On November 7th 2014 I will be participating in the Zambezi river challenge! On this unique, varied and exhilarating river challenge, a group of volunteers and I will paddle our way over 100kms down one of the toughest rivers in Africa - the mighty Zambezi.

Enduring sweltering heat, blistered hands, high humidity and harsh conditions, we will paddle mokoros (traditional dug out wooden canoes) and inflatable kayaks on the upper river towards Victoria Falls, negotiating unforgiving  rapids and dodging myriad wildlife including crocodiles and the most aggressive and dangerous animals in Africa – the hippo!

On the fourth day we will switch to inflatable rafts and continue to paddle towards the Falls, wild camping by the banks of the river by night.

The challenge climactically ends with the daunting prospect of rafting below the Falls in the notorious Batoka Gorge, the most challenging and tempestuous white water rapids in the world. In the local Tonga dialect, Zambezi River means “Great River.” Being the fourth longest river in Africa, flowing 2700kms through six countries on its way from North-Western Zambia to the Indian Ocean, much of it remains mysterious and unexplored.

The upper section of this great river is dotted with islands and braided with narrow fast flowing channels as well as crystal clear water. We will paddle our way along the border with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, steadily heading towards the Falls.

After four days paddling mokoros, canoes and rafts on the upper river, our final push will be through the white water rapids of the Batoka gorge.

Having wound its course down from the highlands and across massive flood plains, the waters of the Zambezi pour into a massive rift in the earth’s surface creating one of the world’s most magnificent waterfalls, the spray from which you can often see from miles upriver. The falls is known as ‘the smoke that thunders’ and is where the challenge will end.

The biggest challenge will be raising the funds; that’s where you come in...

Oh, and yes, this is the same as the Hell and High Water challenge that six celebrities did for Comic Relief back in January 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1g1fhbTxmA&list=PLvhIHrKcFJBHn7mqgS7XJyG2UysII-YOM&index=1

How will your donation help? Your support is absolutely crucial to MAG. Your donations enable them to reach those communities most in need and respond quickly to emergency situations. These unrestricted funds also provide MAG with the ability to continue projects where previous funding sources are no longer available or have run out, enabling them to get the job done. Your support helps to save lives faster, in areas where there is no infrastructure in place. 

- £100 could help MAG clear 60 square meters of space, enough for one class room;

- £60 could allow MAG to clear 40 square meters of land;

- £30 could fund a pair of deminers for a day; and

- £15 could help deliver lifesaving ‘mine risk education’ to a conflict-hit community.