As with most things worth doing there have been times this week when I have wondered whether it was worth doing. Phil and I had hoped to be fine-tuning our rowing technique together, in preparation for rowing to France. But we lost one day to a broken down vehicle, and another to an iced-up slipway. We discovered a moderately large hole in the bottom of the boat. And some complete muppet managed to snap one of the oars.

But we’re back on track now. If things like this were easy, everyone would be doing it. Or so I tell myself. That’s possibly not strictly true, as spending a night or two rowing in the cold, wind and wet of the English Channel in February may turn out to be less fun than it sounds. Phil and I are looking forward to it though, especially as the challenge can really kick-start Phil’s fantastic efforts to raise £1million for Help for Heroes.

We hope to begin at midnight on Friday/Saturday. I will try to add progress updates through Twitter, and we hope also to be on ITV’s News at Ten. All of this, of course, is to try to generate as wide an audience as possible who will show their support to Phil and his cause by donating some money. You can do so here. Thank you.