I have chosen to support two of the principal health-related charities:

CANCER RESEARCH UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org)

Cancer Research UK is the leading funder of cancer research within the UK. Not only do they head the UK charity league tables in terms of income, but are also recognised for their efficiency (i.e. minimal administration costs) and also their effectiveness in helping to achieve substantial advances in cancer treatment.

Few of us will have escaped some acquaintance with cancer, if not personally then from amongst our friends or within our family group. Cancer can strike any of us, even the teetotal, non-smokers who exercise thrice weekly. Hereditary and environmental causes, which are beyond our control, make this disease something which none of us are immune to.

It is tragically ironic that even after making my decision to support this charity, my Dad recently died from cancer of the bladder and prostate. Moreover, my younger brother Paul was diagnosed with lymphoma. Happily, he is in remission now following chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant which involved a month-long stay in a London Hospital.

As far as I know, Mum and I are fine.

My view is that continued support of research into the prevention and treatment of cancer is the nearest thing we can have to an insurance policy against it.

BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION (www.bhf.org.uk)

If cancer doesn’t get you, then heart disease just might. The two combined account for the greatest number of premature deaths in western society. I suppose that you might say that we all have to die of something sometime but, like cancer, heart disease has a habit of striking those who still have much to do.

To use the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF’s) own words: “Our vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. We'll achieve this through pioneering research, vital prevention activity and ensuring quality care and support for everyone living with heart disease”.

One thing that the BHF does particularly well is get people involved in physical activities, such as walking, running and cycling, to aid the collection of funds whilst simultaneously reducing the possibility of them suffering from premature heart disease anyway. It means that those who do the collecting will probably need the BHF’s help the least and that they will be able to keep collecting for longer. Very smart!

Every year for the past 6 years I have thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Round the Harbours Cycle Ride’, and in 2005 I cycled from London to Brighton for them. I think that they do a great job and we should support their work.