Well I would raise 500 pounds, and I would raise 500 more

That's me singing that annoying karaoke classic by the Proclaimers. "Why, weirdo?" I hear you ask. Because 500 pounds is all I need to raise in order to take part in the Ruta del Sol. The journey my 'cahones del acero' are positively aching to undertake. And I will happily try and raise 500 more, if there's any way I can.

For those of you who don't know, Lord Tom Morgan, the evil overlord of the adventurists, is a philanthropist of the highest order. He cunningly crafts adventures designed to push human endurance to the limits of stupidity, but ensures every trip raises tonnes of money for some excellent causes.

The Ruta del Sol will be predominantly raising money for an Ecuadorian charity called "Fundecruz." Sadly, nothing to do with Penelope.


Fundecruz is actually a social development foundation established by Ulises De la Cruz, the Aston Villa/ Reading/Ecuadorian international footballer. It was set up to help the children of Afro-Ecuadorian communities in De la Cruz's village, Piquiucho, one of the poorest and most deprived regions of Ecuador.


This organisation focuses on children's nutrition, health, education and sports development. It provides daily meals for more than 100 primary school children, running water for a whole village, has founded a hospital, a school and is funding the construction of a community sports centre.


How great is that? I get to go on the adventure of a lifetime, (well, my third or fouth, actually, especially if you include Legoland, and the Bodyshoppe in LA), happy in the knowledge that even if I fail horribly, the future of English football will be assured, thanks to the money we raised going towards buying little Pablo his first pair of football boots and a Man United strip.


The charity is undeniably worthy, I therefore implore you to sponsor me - when I sort out another page where you can go and spunk your cash all over these deserving children's hungry little faces.


Meanwhile, have a look here (http://ulisesdelacruz.org/contactus.aspx). What really touches me is that when we read such a lot of bad press about Premier league footballers and their wives wasting money, Ulises has used the money gained from his skill to make a real difference to the community he grew up in. Good man. I feel belittled.