PDSA, Britain's leading veterinary charity, is asking people to take the Challenge of a Lifetime and help raise funds to treat thousands of sick and injured pets.

Whether it's cycling from London to Paris, walking the historic Hadrian's Wall (as pictured on an earlier challenge, right), a nine-day trek through the magical island of Sri Lanka or trekking in the ancient land of Vietnam, PDSA has a once-in-a-lifetime challenge for you.

PDSA is now recruiting participants for its four Challenge of a Lifetime trips in 2004. Proceeds will help sick and injured pets treated through PDSA PetAid services across Britain.

First, keen cyclists are invited to take part in a five-day bike challenge from London to Paris from 23-27 June 2004. The 285-mile route will take cyclists from Greenwich, through the Kent countryside to Dover, then from Calais to Abbeville to Beauvais and finally to Paris.

Sights will include beautiful countryside, landmarks from WW2 as well as the distinctive monuments of Paris. A registration fee of £150 is required for this trip plus a minimum sponsorship target of £1,000.

The second challenge is walking along the remaining sections of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland National Park from 30th July to 1st August 2004. Children over the age of 12 and dogs capable of the 35 mile trek are also welcome to take part. The minimum sponsorship requirement for this challenge
is £350 (£165 for children aged 12-16).

After the popularity of the Sri Lanka cycling challenge in 2003, PDSA will be returning to this tropical teardrop island in the Indian Ocean for a trek from 11-18 September 2004. This nine day walk will take in sights such as the cave temples of Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The minimum sponsorship target will be £2,015.

Finally, a new destination for PDSA - Vietnam. The nine-day tour in October 2004 offers some of Vietnam's most spectacular scenery though pristine jungle, across ancient mountain passes and through friendly villages which have remained unchanged for many years. The minimum sponsorship target will be £2,250.

For further information on any of these challenges freephone 0800 917 2509, log on to www.pdsa.org.uk or email challenge@pdsa.org.uk