MARK Banks, a partner at Penbode Veterinary Group, is planning to embark on a 1,020-mile cycle ride from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Mark, who is based at the group's Stratton branch, explained the reasons for the adventure.

"Firstly to raise money for El Shaddai Charitable Trust, and secondly to prove I am not past it at 40!"

The El Shaddai Charitable Trust was founded by Anita Edgar after she took a retirement holiday to Goa, India and was challenged by the plight of some of the children that she encountered there.

You can find out more about the history and growth of El Shaddai on their website http://www.childrescue.net">www.childrescue.net.

Seventy per cent of the funding of El Shaddai comes from the UK, and their headquarters are here in Holsworthy.

Fifteen years later, not only does El Shaddai run a number of homes for street children, orphans, the maltreated, and those whose parents cannot cope with them, the charity also runs feeding and education programmes in the slums, as well as seeking to influence government policy to improve the welfare of children throughout India.

See this week's edition of the 'Post' for the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport.