During a three week period in September, I will be embarking on two very different challenges for one very important cause. 

At the beginning of the month I will be part of five graduates that take on the 12 mile extreme-obstacle course. You will all be aware that body strength isn't exactly my strong point, so with 20 obstacles that have delightful names such as 'fire walker', 'ball shrinker' and 'turds nest' it's going to be something that will push me to edge of my physical and mental abilities

Just a few weeks later and I will then be coming out of retirement to cycle from London to Paris. My two year absence from cycling (and extended periods of exercise) means that I'll be facing this 200 mile journey with the same kind of saddlesore problems as before. 

The real aim of these challenges though is to help support the great work of Marie Curie Cancer Care, a charity that everyone is familiar with. The challenges I will be facing are nothing in comparison to the challenges faced every day by Marie Curie patients, but with your help hopefully we can do just a little bit to make things easier. 

HSBC have very graciously pledged to match the first £500 that I raise. Together with gift aid, this means that your donations go 125% further. For example, a £20 donation would actually be worth £45 to Marie Curie, so this is an amazing opportunity to see your money go even further for a great cause.

I, on behalf of Marie Curie, would be extremely grateful for any amount you are able to donate. So please, dig deep and help a wonderful cause.