Every now and then, I am reminded that this challenge is going to be bloody difficult.

You’ll notice a few people in that video look just slightly tired and worn out. Well, this is why:

The Kinabalu Challenge – 9 stages over 6 days

1. (Mon 22 January 2010 – a.m.) 4km running race

After just two days of acclimatisation to the extreme heat and humidity of Borneo, the challenge kicks off with a 4k race into the jungle. I guess Lonely Planet’s advice “do not do anything too physically demanding and avoid strenuous activity when you arrive in a hot climate” is kind of out of the window then!

2. (Mon – p.m.) Setting up camp

A nice hotel maybe? OK, a camp site? Tents even? Nope, this is proper Bear Grylls extreme survival stuff – building our own hammocks, shelter, fire – right out there in the jungle amidst all the mud, insects, cobras, scorpions and tropical rainfall.

3. (Tue – a.m.) Mountain bike / relay run – 6k – very hilly

After a trek out into the heart of the jungle, this stage involves taking it in turns biking and running on 6k of muddy off-road terrain, Camelbak’s most definitely required!

4. (still Tue – p.m.) White Water Rafting

Then, in the afternoon, white water rafting back to camp. Time to get those upper body muscles engaged.

5. (Wed – a.m.) Bamboo Rafting

Yesterday too easy? OK, this time we have to build our own rafts and race back up-river, remember all this time we’re competing against 7 other teams.

6. (Wed – still a.m.) 8.5k bike/run

Flatter terrain this time, so longer distance, not like we’ll be getting slightly knackered by this point or anything!

7. (Wed – p.m.) Kayak relay race

2-man kayaks now. Probably in torrential rain. This is a very tough day.

8. (Fri) Up the mountain!

Mt Kinabalu. The biggest one in South-East Asia. Described as the “Stair Master from HELL”, we will be ascending from 2000m to 3400m on this day – which should take us about 5-7 hours and really work those calf muscles.

9. (Sat) 2am start, to the 4100m peak

As if this isn’t hard enough already, let’s get up at 2am for the final stretch to the 4100m peak of Mt Kinabalu. This time we’re raising against the sun-rise. Steep, rocky, freezing cold and in the pitch dark.

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Now, each of those activities on their own might not seem too difficult. But doing them one after the other on six consecutive days. And doing them in hot, humid, tropical conditions. And doing them not at a leisurely pace, but in a race for which we’ve been whisked half way across the world. That’s all going to make it hard.

But that is the challenge we’re embarking upon in 26 days time. That’s the crazy thing we’re doing for charity. That’s what we’re doing to persuade and inspire people to donate to Raleigh’s youth development programme: to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds get out there, and to help Raleigh make an impact on community projects around the world. That’s what our £10,000 target is for.

We’ve got 26 days.

We’ve got £862.86 left to raise.

As we are about to embark on the toughest, craziest challenge of our lives, please help us out with £5, £10 or whatever you can manage – http://www.justgiving.com/borneoforthis

Thank you.