Many of you will know I have a dicky ticker. I have undergone open heart surgery three times and, following the last operation, which lasted 16.5 hours, it's fair to say I'm overdrawn at the blood bank.

Twenty years after my aortic valve was replaced, I'm still going strong. Well, I'm still going, so I've decided to embark on another fundraising challenge to help others benefit from the research that saved my life.

I know in this time of austerity*, money is tight and we all have difficult decisions* to make, so I appreciate any sum you can contribute, however small, in my bid to reach the £1,000 mark.

Many thanks for your support.

*copyright the b*stard Tories