Dear Friends, 

It has been 5 years since I last asked for your support. Back then I joined a team whose aim was to grow sponsored moustaches in the name of a men's health charity. The response was truly humbling. Thank you.

Now I am back for more, but this time it's personal. I am trying to raise money for a small education project in one of the poorest areas in the remote African country of Rwanda - my shared homeland.

The charity running the project is Mad4Africa, a tiny organisation run entirely by a few unpaid volunteers, which my wife has been involved with for a number of years. The charity has achieved some incredible things through the sheer determination of wanting to make a difference to the lives of young Rwandans, often at great personal cost.

The current project is to construct a second classroom at the charity-built vocational training centre in the village of Maraba, and a small trading co-operative for the surrounding villagefolk to learn and practise local crafts in order to get on in life.

This could well be the last project attempted before Mad4Africa ceases operations due to lack of funding, so I am keen to ensure that their last big effort bears the fruit that will nourish the community for generations to come. 

So what challenge am I setting myself? It has been a life-long ambition to address a fear of extreme heights. I do not 'want' to do a bungee jump, I 'need' to do one. And so, on 5th September 2015 I shall scale the 200ft-high Souleuvre Viaduct in Normandy, and jump. 

On the descent I shall take in the views of the Battlefields upon which millions of brave soldiers spilled blood in acts of courage which make mine look rather puny in comparison, but rest assured that this will be no mean feat for a man of my low standing. Fortunately I have the best part of 3 months' gardening leave to prepare myself mentally. Indeed I shall be visiting Rwanda just prior to the jump to bring my mind into sharp focus.

It is important for you to know that every penny will be spent on direct costs of the project (ie materials and labour). Absolutely nothing will be spent on indirect costs of the charity such as travel, food or accommodation which are all self-funded (and of course nothing will be spent on the bungee jump!).

This is certainly the only time I will ask for your support for at least the next 5 years, so please dig deep..

With profound thanks,

NJD