For those of you who know either my sister or me, you will know that we both love a challenge - whether it be cycling around the UK; climbing to the top of the Matterhorn; or throwing ourselves into the fighting ring and praying we come out in one piece! 

Well, this year, we have decided to combine our efforts and put our energy and enthusiasm to good use. We have decided to participate in a 300km cycle in Malawi to raise much needed funds for mothers2mothers (m2m) - a fabulous charity which is focused on eradicating the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children in sub-Saharan Africa.

We have supported m2m for a number of years raising money for the charity through the organisation of an extremely successful annual charity pub quiz. The Cycle to Zero event now gives us an opportunity to continue with our fundraising as well as to see how the money is being put to good use on the ground.

We will be holding a couple of fundraising events both in Geneva and in London as well as raising money through donations. We really would appreciate your support in our fundraising efforts, so please donate as much as you feel you are able to!

So let the training begin! Now, where did I put that bike?!!

More about m2m: Each day, 600 children are infected with HIV. Almost 90% of these live in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV is transmitted from their mothers during pregnancy, childbirth / breastfeeding.

The m2m programme was established in Malawi in 2008. m2m train, employ, and empower Mentor Mothers (mothers living with HIV) to work alongside doctors and nurses in understaffed health centres as members of the healthcare team.

Mentor Mothers provide essential health education and psychosocial support to other HIV-positive mothers and provide a bridge between communities and the formal health care sector. By encouraging mothers and babies into care, and to stay in care throughout pregnancy and the early years of their child’s life, mothers can be taught how they can protect their babies from HIV  infection. 

For more information, please go to: www.m2m.org