I'm 21 and have just finished my third year at medical school in Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm taking a year out to invest in my future and will return to university in 2001.

I was born and raised in Northern Ireland, so I'm very aware of looking to a better future. President Clinton, in his recent speech after receiving the American-Ireland Fund's Millennium Peace Award, said this: "We sense good things are coming, because people rose above their fears, their hatred, their honest wounds, their deep scars, to give a better future to their children. It's still out there, and they're still waiting." I believe it's time to take hold of this future. This expedition has the potential to influence this, not just by funding some amazing organisations, but also empowering people of different cultures, dreams and values to unite and push beyond the boundaries. We need that.

I'm so excited. AYDE will be a life-changing experience. People ask about the "pain" of kayaking 3200 miles. I don't see it like that. This is a chance to sacrifice a little for a lot. The only thing I'm worried about is being corrupted by 3 Americans! I love the outdoors. I love spending time with God. This combines it all into an amazing adventure. I want to be, in the words of Lewis Carroll, "the child of pure unclouded brow, and dreaming eyes of wonder" and imagine what we can achieve. Then do it!

This venture exemplifies what people can do if they believe in it hard enough and persevere long enough. I hope that my small part in it can inspire others at home to reach higher and further. I want to use the outdoors to help young people discover Life and its Source (John 10:10), and help them to see beyond their circumstances. If this "wee Irishman" can do it, anyone can.