Not long to go until Annette and I set off on what we hope will be an amazing journey - crossing India north-south from Kullu in the foothills of the Himalayas to Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the country - on a motorbike. We are part of a small group of riders and pillions who have signed up for the four-week, one-of-a-kind, 5,000km ride in November in support of Saving Lives International, a UK based charity that fosters training in Disaster Medicine in low and middle income countries.

Disaster Medicine aims to build local resilience against disasters of all kinds, recognising that in such emergencies lives are saved less by ambulances and hospitals and more by basic medical infrastructures. See the charity's website isavinglives.org for a full statement of its aims and work to date.

I want to take the opportunity of the ride to show my appreciation for Saving Lives' pioneering work by raising £5000 towards it and I hope you will assist me. In my mind this is not sponsorship of my personal efforts - I expect to have a broad grin on my face for the entire time - but you may agree with me that Saving Lives is an unusual and extraordinary venture that merits your contribution.