CHARITY fundraising gets harder every year. The pressure on the public from the ever-increasing number of very worthwhile causes grows too, as successive governments rely more and more on the voluntary sector.

Those who wish to support charity have tough choices to make sometimes.

But every now and then a really good idea comes along that can energise everyone, whatever their favourite cause.

One such is the Wycombe Rotary and Rotaract Clubs' Pedal Push 06 event to be held on Sunday, May 21, building on the success of last year's event.

The best ideas are always simple. A sponsored bike ride of 20 or 50 miles through the springtime Chiltern countryside, organised, marshalled and planned by Rotary.

The costs of running the event are met by the entry fees £5 in advance or £10 on the day.

All the cyclists have to do is get as much sponsorship as possible, half of which goes to the charity of their choice and the other half to the Rotary charities, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and the Stroke Association.

So, every penny of the sponsorship money goes to charity. Then just turn up and push those pedals!

The event will start on The Rye in Wycombe at 8am for the early birds and I shall be there myself to lend my weight to the occasion, if not a bicycle saddle, much to the relief of cycle manufacturers and the local A & E. I shall be seeing the riders off on their odyssey to Hampden House and Lacey Green, for the 20 milers, and Cuddington and Long Crendon for the more adventurous 50-mile emulators of Lance Armstrong.

You can ride as a team or an individual and the minimum age is 14, if you are accompanied by an adult, otherwise 17. There is no upper limit!

And the recreational rider should be reassured; it is not a race. There will be refreshment points along the route manned by Rotary volunteers and the route is clearly signed and marshalled.

Where do I get details I hear you cry?

http://uk.geocities.com/pedalpush2006@btinternet.com/ is the answer.

Download an application form. Ask questions, get more details.

And there is even an opportunity to visit Wycombe's excellent Environment Centre on The Rye, which will be open on the day for use by cyclists, supporters and friends.

So get an application form, get some sponsors and get on your bike.

See you there I hope.