We all spend alot of time worrying about what will happen next month or next year, but every now and again something happens which is a reality check. This happened to me last year when a friend Huw Evans phoned me to tell me that his wife Sue had contracted lung cancer. This was scarcely believable - we had spent happy hours together in Pembrokeshire and Sue was a fit forty something who had never smoked. Yet only three months later she was facing the biggest battle of her life - one which thankfully she is winning.

Huw went on to explain that Sue has a relatively rare form of cancer about which little is known as there has not been a great deal of research into either the cause or the cure. The cancer is unusual as it appears to be contracted more often by otherwise fit young women who have no history of smoking. On this basis it could affect any of us without warning or explanation. But Huw was not prepared to take this lying down. His immediate reaction was to commit to raising £1,000,000 a year to fund research into this terrible cancer, and he was asking his friends to help. I didn't hesitate.

I guess that most of us have been affected by cancer at some point. I lost my mum aged only 68 after a brave three year battle with the disease. She never had the chance to meet my children which is a tragedy for them and her as she had so much love to give. My Dad also had it - he died in 2007. We have also lost grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends and now we are very aware that it is becoming a real issue for our generation too. I concluded that we can't individually fix the problem, but we can each 'do our bit' to help.

So I committed to join Huw's first venture - a climb of Kilimanjaro in September. As you know Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, rising to 19,340 feet (5,985 metres). As the highest I have been is 3,500 metres on skiing holidays - and I didn't stay there for long - I have no idea how my body will cope with the altitude. Everything I hear and read though tells me that this will be the toughest physical and psychological challenge of my life, which I find exciting but more than a little scary! When I go I will be the fittest I have been since school but I have no way of knowing if this will be enough.

Why is it called the Captains challenge? As Huw's day job is the official photographer for the Welsh Rugby Union he has also enlisted the support of 15 former Welsh rugby captains and the current coach Warren Gatland who will all be making the climb with us. A totally surreal experience.

I have committed to funding all the expenses of this expedition personally so every penny you donate will go direct to the Velindre Cancer Centre which is the largest non-surgical cancer hospital in Wales, and it is where Sue is being treated. Please donate whatever you can to support this wonderful cause.

Many thanks

Alan

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