As the countdown to our Doddle into Africa begins, we have been encouraged and inspired to appeal to all our friends for donations of pens, pencils, pencil crayons and erasers. The idea is to spread the Madiba Magic to some of the children we come across as we travel and we thought pens etc. would be the most useful.

Packing space is a consideration so we hope to fit in as many pens, pencils, pencil crayons and erasers as we can round up. The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund have been very supportive of our private initiative so we hope to spread good will and inspiration as we go along. All donations will be gratefully accepted - just contact either Simon or myself.

For a bit of fun we will try to take (deflated) soccer balls with us as we know that they will also bring delight.