Thanks for taking the time to visit my fundraising page for Brighton and Hove Independent Mediation Service.

I'm doing it again. The London Triathlon. This time in Hyde Park. 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run. Gulp. Somehow over the last year I have forgotten what I said to myself as I staggered over the finish line about never doing it again.

The race is a test event for next year's Olympics which means that the big boys are also taking part. To add to the pressure, if I am too slow, I will be politely ushered off the course so that I don't get in their way.

But it is for a cause that you may know is very important to me - Brighton and Hove Independent Mediation Service. This a tiny charity which I am a trustee of. It's not a sexy charity - no puppies, no donkies - so we find it very difficult to raise the small budget we need to keep it running - about £4000/month.

Through a team of volunteers we work in the local community to address conflict through training, independent mediation and advice. I believe that inititives like this are vital if communities are to become more cohesive, happier, safer places to live. We have a vision of a community where local people lead the resolution of their own conflicts.

If you are able to make even a small donation, it will be a big deal for us. I appreciate that some of you will recognise this as an international issue as well as a local one, so you might prefer to support another charity that is really important to me - Peace Direct.  Peace Direct works around the world offering similar services.