A while ago, I was channel flicking, as you do, when I came across the story of a man named Ben Freeth.  I was at school with a Ben Freeth but the face I saw on the screen bore no resemblance to the lad I knew.  

The story was of a Zimbabwean farmer taking on the tyranny of the government, fighting for the rights of the farming community. With some of the most fertile lands in the world, a properly run farm provides not only food for the population but a whole livelihood for the community, but that is where the problems start.  Zimbabwe is starving and Government thugs have illegally and brutally taken possession of the farms which now lie fallow.

A while later it transpired that the disfigured face I had seen on the screen was that of my old friend together with an interesting looking tash! Ben had married and moved to Zimbabwe where he was protecting his farm, family and workers resolutely from the thugs who tried to take it from them.  Ben and his parents-in-law had been paid a visit by Mugube's henchmen and were hideously beaten and tortured.  Ben survived his injuries, his father in law, like many others, did not.

In his memory, Ben and his family set up the Mike Campball Foundation, which seeks to provide justice for victims of torture and abuse in Zimbabwe. He says himself "We may have a long road - but evil will NOT win". Put simply, he is the bravest man I have ever met but he cannot do this alone and needs our help.

Think of that guy in Tianamon Square standing in front of a tank..you get the picture.  

Now I'm no fund raiser and have never done anything like this before but have undertaken to ride my bike from Geneva to Nice over a few hills that look like they are called the Alps on the map. The total climbing is over 1.6 times the height between Everest's Base camp and its summit, so I may have my work cut out, but in comparison with what Ben does on a daily basis, it pales into insignificance.

If like me, you despise bullies in any shape or form and believe that if we stand up to them together we can beat them please give what you can.  We have all experienced bullying whether at school, at work or in life so I know you will all be able to empathise with what Ben is trying to do. Please help me raise as much as I can for this fantastic cause and inspirational man. I can promise you every pound will be put to good use by this tiny but immensely worthwhile cause.

Thank you 

Dominic