We (Fred Baty and Clem Crossman) are going to be cycling from London to Paris, leaving Putney at the crack of dawn on Wednesday 6 May, and – fitness and punctures permitting – arriving in a blaze of glory on the Champs-Elysées on the evening of Thursday 7 May.

We're doing this in order to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation (http://www.meningitis.org/), who carry out amazing work supporting research into meningitis and septicaemia, as well as offering support to those whose lives have been affected by the diseases.

Last month's announcement of a MenB vaccine becoming freely available on the NHS for all UK babies is a huge step forward, but there's obviously still a long way to go, and so we'd hugely appreciate any help you can offer in supporting the Meningitis Research Foundation. Your donations will also give two rather unfit men an extra incentive as we wobble gracefully along the 200-odd miles to Paris. Thanks very much!