Well, this is the BIG one. As the fifty4fifty name implies, I am trying to hit two BIG 50's in 2012. The first 50 will be to raise the magical sum of £50,000 for Naomi House. This Children's Hospice in Sutton Scotney provides palliative and respite care for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions, and their families - and is a charity that I have been very proud to support both personally and as a business for the last eight years.

The second 50 is to achieve this in the year that I hit the big 5-O. Yes, I know it's hard to believe but on June 6th 2012, I will be 50 years old. So my side of the deal is that I will run! I have run countless 10k's and half marathons. I have run six full marathons to date and I have even run an Ultra Marathon; the Comrades Marathon in Durban, South Africa - 54 miles uphill in 26 degrees (me and my fellow nutter Richard Dunne finished in a time of 11h 18m).

But in April 2012, I am taking part in my biggest ever challenge - the infamous Marathon des Sables. 156 miles of running, that's nearly six marathons, in seven days in the Sahara Desert, in temperatures of more than 40 degrees. Oh yes... and I have to carry on me everything that I need to survive for those six days. The only help I get is a daily ration of water and a bivouac to share with 9 other sweaty and tired bodies each night.

The Marathon des Sables is billed as the Toughest Footrace in the World and is not for the faint hearted. Only 750 people worldwide are allowed to compete each year. I WILL complete the Marathon des Sables. I WILL raise £50,000 for Naomi House. I just need a little help from you...

Which brings me to your side of the deal? I need you to dig deep into your pockets and sponsor me for as much as you can possibly afford, to help me achieve my target of £50,000 for this excellent and deserving charity that does so much valuable work for children and families across the southern region, without any grants or financial support from the government.

Oh yes, lets not forget the London Marathon....

Lastly, you would have thought that running for seven days in the desert would be enough! Not so. On the 22nd April, six days after hopefully completing the MdS, I will be running the London Marathon in FULL MdS gear.....nice way to finish off...or be finished off!

There will also be a Gala Ball to further enhance this fundraising effort. This spectacular event will take place in Brockenhurst on May 5th 2012. To find out more, email: info@fifty4fifty.co.uk