Jeremy Polmear and Diana Ambache are trekking 250 miles for Mozart and a Microscope. My wife Diana Ambache's orchestra, The Ambache Ensemble, is finishing after 24 years. Mozart was her inspiration for starting it, and we want to make a final homage to him, and also to raise money for the work of the neurosurgeon thanks to whom she is alive.

We are going to walk from Salzburg where Mozart was born to Vienna where he died. Its about 250 miles through the foothills of the Austrian Alps on a long-distence path, and will take four weeks in September.

Our initial plan was to raise £10,000 for a special teaching microscope. Dianas surgeon will use it in the New Skills lab at the Royal College of Surgeons where he is the neurosurgical tutor. We have sponsorship to cover our costs, so 100% of all donations will go to the equipment.

Thanks to peoples generosity, we have already reached this target! We would also like to buy some Pupil Reaction Instruments to be used in Intensive Care at The London Hospital. As we know only too well, problems can occur after neurosurgery, and these machines can spot that a patient is in trouble far sooner than a human can. They cost about £1,500 each.

Although we walk a lot, this is a more ambitious plan than any we've done before. We are looking forward to the challenge, and hope to raise a substantial sum to enhance neurosurgical knowledge, and also to help people after their operations.

Any contributions are most welcome. £10 would be much appreciated, £100 would be excellent!

You can send a cheque made out to Barts and The London Charity to us at 9 Beversbrook Road, London N19 4QG. Or you can donate online with a Credit or Debit card (there are Gift Aid tax rebate facilities there) at Mozart and the Microscope (fundraising).

We have started a blog of our progress at Mozart and the Microscope (blog).