Last year, many of your readers helped me to raise more than £6,000 for Barnardo's by sponsoring me on a 250-mile, three-day cycle ride in France.

This year I'm doing it again, starting on July 12, but this time I'll be covering 420 miles in five days from Cherbourg via Paris to Le Havre.

There is also a competition. The nearest guess to how long the first day will take will win a magnum of champagne. It's around 100 miles and takes in the D-Day beaches and Bayeux. Just add two pounds to your sponsorship for the chance to win.

I hope you can help - your outstanding support last year made it all the more worthwhile.

-Mark Necus, English's 29-31 East Street, Brighton, 01273 327980, 01273 703062 or 07774 632308 mark@englishes.co.uk