As a trade unionist, I am not someone who believes that 'charity' is an alternative for proper funding of public services. However, when my friend and colleague, Lawrence Stevens, Lewisham NUT Treasurer, suffered a serious heart attack during the weekend of NUT Conference, I thought it was only right to use this opportunity to ask for support for the British Heart Foundation, the sponsor of the London-Brighton ride that I am taking part in on Sunday, June 15th.

The BHF say that stress is not a direct risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but it may contribute to your risk level. The stressful nature of teachers' lives may well make us more susceptible to the UK's biggest killer - heart disease.

Lawrence has recovered - thanks to the tremendous work of both the ambulance crew who got him to hospital so quickly and the staff at St.George's in Tooting. However, he knows that it was a close-call.

Lawrence has been one of those invaluable colleagues who are always ready to help others around him. A donation is also a small way to thank Lawrence, and colleagues like him, for the work that they do for others.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.