A great friend of ours, Bertie Portal, is heroically rowing the Atlantic as part of a two-man team in December/January 2011/12.  

 

He aims to raise nearly £250,000 for Facing the World, a charity dedicated to repairing craniofacial disfigurements for children in countries where such surgery is not available. 

 

It is a wonderful charity founded by two surgeons, one of whom, Martin Kelly, was a close friend of Bertie's who died tragically young in 2008.  Bertie is tackling this great ordeal in Martin's memory.

 

A group of Bertie's friends are together organising a sponsored bike ride/walk on Sunday 18th September (www.bikeforbert.com) at Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh to help towards the fundraising target.

 

The Beeley children, Daisy, Mungo and Bertie, will be attempting to complete the three-mile "Atlantic Walk" in aid of this wonderful charity. Before you scoff, Daisy is only five, Mungo is only three-and-a-half, and Bertie (Beeley) can't even walk - so this is quite some challenge.

 

It would be wonderful for the children, for Bertie Portal, for the late Martin Kelly, and for Facing the World, if you could do your part to make this event a success, and help us to raise as much money as we can. Everything counts.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Damian.