Yes, this is the rather crazy plan I have hatched and in just two weeks time I will be boarding Etihad Airways flight EY16 at Manchester to start the journey to Melbourne, Australia travelling via Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The journey there will take a little over twenty three hours leaving Manchester at 0910 on Thursday 30th April arriving into Melbourne at 1720 on the Friday afternoon.

Whilst in Melbourne I will have a chance to catch up with a few friends, have a few meals and maybe the odd drop of local wine. I will also, on the Sunday, be taking part in the Puffing Billy Great Train Race before getting on a flight back to the UK on the Monday morning!

The 13.5 kilometre run, against a steam train, will be a real challenge and I am doing this to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. So far my friends and family have donated over £1,500 and I am not only very grateful for this but it makes the whole weekend even more worthwhile.

My return journey from Melbourne back to the UK on the Monday morning, the 4th May, will depart at 0915 on Virgin Australia flight VA679 and because of a long(ish) stopover/connection in Perth I will also be able to have lunch with friends if all goes to plan. I will then board my Etihad Airways flight EY487 to Abu Dhabi and then onto Manchester arriving on Tuesday morning at 0740 so it is just a thirty one and a half hour trip back home.

Over the weekend I will travel over 21,500 miles (or 34,700 kilometres) by aeroplane so the 13.5 kilometre (8.3 mile) run should be a real doddle.

If you wish to donate money, in support of this crazy weekend, please visit my JustGiving website at www.justgiving.com/holtyboy (you may need to cut and paste this address into your browser). Thank you in advance for your support.