On the 30th November 2011, Errol Damelin and Lizzie Chapman will be attempting the Antarctic Ice Marathon, near the South Pole, one of the world's driest and most inhospitable environments. They are trying to raise $100,000 to provide clean water for 5,000 people.

The event comprises 26.2 miles of treacherous snow and ice at an altitude of approx. 3,000 ft. We'll be running in sub-zero temperatures on an active glacier, not to mention the potential bone chilling Katabatic winds that can bring the windchill temperature to -30C. Only 100 people have ever completed this mammoth event (fewer than 14 women). This year's race will be especially significant as it marks the 100 year anniversary of man first reaching the South Pole.

Every year people in Africa spend over 40 billion hours walking to get water. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. 90% of the 30,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are of children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, keeping them from school, work and putting them at risk.

charity: water is a brilliant charity....like us, they passionately believe that technology can make the world more efficient. Using the best of digital technology and social media they are aiming to raise $2bn in 10 years. Backed by many other tech entrepreneurs, charity: water has a lean start-up mentality and has a separate operating budget from their founders which means that 100% of everything raised will go straight to building water projects in the field, even the credit card fees. Then, when the projects are complete, charity: water will show us just where they are and who they're helping (with GPS coordinates, photos and other details). We'll be able to see the communities we've impacted.

If by any chance you feel able to donate $5,000 or more, it would be massively appreciated and you'll be able to fund a dedicated water well and you'll get your name on a plaque in that village.

Any amount will will help immensely and will also help to motivate us in whats going to be a mammoth event.