Welcome to my JustGiving page.  And many thanks if you decide to make a donation to my nominated charity as sponsorship for the challenge I am taking on.

The challenge is completing a trek organised by Pioneer Expeditions through the Simien mountains of Ethiopia - much of it at around 3000 metres and its highest point, Ras Dejan, at 4563 metres.  It starts on 26th November 2011 and will take two weeks.

Why am I doing it? Partly I suppose to prove to myself that I can at my age!  And partly because I am always recommending the value of "reinvention" and "personal goals" in my work, so I guess it's time I practiced what I preach!

The expedition is not connected to a charity so I have chosen one that is relevant to the challenge - it supports development in Ethiopia - and fits with my strong beliefs about our responsibility to help Africa's children.

I feel that the future of Africa will have a big impact on the future of the world - and vica versa. Today's children of Africa are therefore important to the future of our children. And they have so much they can bring to each other.

25 years ago, it was the plight of Ethiopia's children that prompted Live Aid and all that followed and if you look at the website of the charity I have chosen you can see the great things the survivors of that famine are doing to prevent their country starving again.

But they could do with a hand - so I would like to give something back in return from the experience I am sure to get from their ancient land and civilisation by asking for donations to the St Matthew's Children's Fund in Ethiopia.

I am conscious that some of us get lots of these requests and fully understand if this is one too many, but anything you can contribute would be much appreciated.

JustGiving would like to add.......

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for reading this far and for donating if you are able to.