In October this year, Dorian and I will be driving across Peru on a mototaxi - basically a 125cc motorbike with a couch strapped to the back. We'll be crossing jungles and mountains to cover 3000 kilometres from Piura to the Sacred Valley.

Before you dismiss this as yet another plea for a donation to charity, I'd really appreciate it if you could read my story...

In September 2004, my life fell apart. I was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer and my oncologist told me to "prepare for the worst". This devastating news was followed by months of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and if that wasn't bad enough, I then found out that I carry the faulty BRCA1 gene, giving me a 90% chance of my cancer returning, and a 40% chance of getting ovarian cancer. You may have read about Angelina Jolie having preventative surgery for the same thing, although she's carried it off with far more dignity than I could have. This diagnosis meant another year of surgery, and a lifetime of worry and panic.

Although my friends and family were amazing and helped me through my ordeal as best they could, what I really needed was someone that understood exactly what I was going through. I found Breast Cancer Care soon after my initial diagnosis and can't convey how much they helped me come to terms with what I was going through, offering support and a shoulder to cry on.

Fortunately all of the months of treatment were worth it - in September this year I will have been in remission for 10 years and my prognosis is excellent. It's time to give something back, and that's why we're doing this trip.

If you can spare anything - even as little as £1 - please donate to Breast Cancer Care to make sure they can be there for other women (and men) that need them, just as I did.

Thank you for reading this, and for your support.

100% of the money we raise will be going to Breast Cancer Care - we're covering all expenses ourselves, including flights, hotels, mototaxi hire, mechanics and beer! 

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.