This April I will be taking on the challenge of cycling 500 miles from Harrogate to Paris, then running the Paris marathon (on my own in 7 days) all in aid of Open Arms Malawi.

I'm a cyclist not a runner, so this is a pretty intense (if not mad) challenge for me and following previous knee surgeries and advice that I shouldn't run...I probably shouldn't be doing it. However if I can make a difference to just one vulnerable child in Malawi it will be worth it!

I visited Malawi, the warm heart of Africa, in 1998 and was blown away by the beauty of the people and the country, despite the huge challenges many face in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Open Arms Malawi is a wonderful charity that provides love, shelter, medical and nutritional care to orphaned, abandoned and at-risk babies helping them survive their infancy and supports their return home to their extended families where ever possible. Their extensive outreach programme supports hundreds of families in the community with advice, essentials and help in becoming self-sufficient. Open Arms also supports nine nursery schools in rural communities, providing hundreds of children with an early years education and a daily hot nutritious meal, which helps prevent malnutrition and gives children the foundations for learning to set them up for success at school.

Many of you know that my wife Suzie works for this charity, so I know first hand what an incredible impact they are making in Malawi. They are passionate about keeping families together and giving children the chance to grow up healthy in a loving family home. Any donation you are able to make will be hugely appreciated and go a long way in helping these vulnerable children have a brighter future.

Thank you for your support!

Simon