I AM writing to ask your readers to support me in one of the last great unconquered challenges - to cross the whole of Antarctica solo and unsupported.

I set off two days ago and am aiming to help raise £3 million for the pioneering research charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer. More then 1,000 women in the UK die from breast cancer every month; together, I know we can make a difference.

The expedition, the Dyson Antarctica Solo (DAS) will be the toughest and most challenging expedition I have ever undertaken.

If successful it will be an historic achievement for Britain, and the money raised will help Breakthrough establish the UK's first dedicated breast cancer research centre.

Anyone wishing to support the expedition can ring 0990 11 22 26 to receive an information pack from Breakthrough.

I cannot overstate enough the importance of knowing that my solo trek will be raising vital funds for a cause which affects one in every twelve women in this country.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.