I was inspired to take up this challenge on the evening of 16th October 2014 as you'll read below...

Once again, this year, i've seen the devastating effects of cancer.

This Autumn the print industry lost one of its great advocates and inspirational leaders when Kathy Woodward lost her battle against cancer.

I signed up for this mad 'experience of a lifetime' on the day of Kathy's memorial service - quite simply I was inspired to get off my fat backside and make a difference, no matter how small, and raise some much needed funds in the battle against cancer.

Kathy was an inspiration to so many people. Her family, her friends and her colleagues spoke of her bravery, her determination, her single-mindedness and the mark she left on all who met her. Kathy persuaded me to join the BPIF board as a non-executive director and was always on hand for support and advice but most of all she taught me lessons about attitude and determination - she had both in abundance.

My wife, Claire lost two of her best friends in the prime of their lives through cancer and not a day goes by without our thoughts being with them and their families.

Claire and my kids think i'm mad because i'm carrying a bit of timber (ok a lot of timber!) and I'm the wrong side of forty. They're worried about the 30 plus degree heat of the days and the below zero temperatures at night and the weight of my back pack and the sand dunes.

Me? I'm still worrying about no email and no phone signal!

Its true this trip to the Sahara desert is going to push me to my current limits - but in my book if you're going to do something to raise money, make sure it's gonna hurt and hopefully friends, family, colleagues and even people who don't know me might think its a worthy thing to support.

So thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and please give what you can.

Thank you so very much and I'll try and return in one piece.

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