Most people's lives have sadly been touched by cancer, and I know this is an illness close to many peoples' hearts. I wanted to help to try to raise money to improve care in Hertfordshire and help make life more comfortable for those who are terminally ill.

The expedition will involve up to ten hours of strenuous climbing and trekking each day in possible extremes of heat, cold and high altitude. This will be physically challenging for me, but I'm sure my minor suffering will hammer home to me the physical and mental suffering those people who are affected by cancer face daily. I have a personal fundraising target of £3,000, however I intend to smash this, and any assistance either from local individuals or business would be much appreciated.

If you can, please take a moment to sponsor me. It's really easy - you can donate online by credit or debit card at the following address:

http://www.justgiving.com/mattwallis

I have detailed below some additional facts about Marie Curie and my challenge, I’m sure you will agree it is a great cause and one I’m proud to be associated with..

• Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high-quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families.
   
• Over the past three years, Overseas Challenge cyclists and trekkers have raised more than £700,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, which has paid for more than 45,000 hours of Marie Curie Nursing.
   
• Marie Curie Nurses care for around 25,000 patients a year.
   
• Marie Curie Cancer Care’s work is important to us all because around 40% of people will develop cancer at some time in their life. Every year cancer claims the lives of 150,000 people in the UK.

Any assistance you feel you can give me is hugely appreciated.

Matt Wallis