I've seen first-hand from friends and relatives the distress of having their children in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Fortunately their children were born in developed countries, with excellent facilities and care - they survived the critical time in ICU and are now doing very well.

I've signed up with a team to raise money for Newborns Vietnam (USD 13k target) who work with local hospitals and universities to reduce neonatal mortality and long-term disability as a result of poor care. Newborns Vietnam works in partnership with Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children and the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi. They work across south east Asia but with a focus on Vietnam.

The fundraising team will be cycling 450km over just 3 days from Thanh My to Da Nang from 1st to 3rd June 2017. The route will include over 5,000m of climbing (over half the height of Everest) during the Vietnamese Summer. For the cyclists out there the first day is c.155km and there are two Category 1, two Category 3, four Category 4 and one Category 5 climbs alone! Considering that I've only managed a maximum of 120km in one day and I have a penchant for perspiration....... it's going to be pretty tough and will definitely require some training. However, I think it's for a very worthwhile cause!

I know we all get a number of these requests, but if you can donate every little bit helps:

* GBP 4,000 could sponsor a place on the 8 month neonatal nurse training programme at Canterbury Christ Church University

* GBP 1,430 could sponsor a 5 week clinical placement at a UK NHS hospital for a junior doctor

* GBP 2,000 could buy an Oxygen Blender

* GBP 1,350 could buy a simple locally made CPAP device

* GBP 1,600 could buy a locally made infant warmer

* GBP 640 could buy a Neopuff

I will be paying for my flights, Hogan Lovells will be providing accommodation, so your donation will be going straight to Newborns Vietnam (less JustGiving's 5% fee). The event has been organised by the international law firm Hogan Lovells.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.