May 12: Just a straightforward thank you. Really moved by everyone's support.

April 30: Amazing. In 11 days, we have hit $4,900. Thanks to everyone. Drinks are on me. And, of course, please don't stop giving*.

Some people have asked where the original Wired story is. Here you go:

http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/12/features/charitystartup

Last year, I went to Rwanda to report for Wired on the work of charity:water, which raises money to bring clean water to people there who don't have it.

This year, I turn 49, and I'd like to see if we can raise $4,900, which will go a long way towards installing a clean-water supply in a Rwandan village that right now doesn't have one.

I knew, of course, before I went, that access to water changes the lives of people immeasurably. But I was blown away by the effect the arrival of just a single tap could have in a village of 500 people.

I met children who, for the first time, were getting up and going to school each morning, rather than hiking across two steep valleys to fill 20-litre jerrycans with dirty water from a swamp - jerrycans which, incidentally, I could barely lift when they were half-full. And I met adults who, freed from the need to walk miles to get water for their animals three times a day, had built side businesses that gave them pride and a sense of fulfilment, and earned them money to feed themselves and their families.

I won't be running a marathon to achieve this and I won't be jumping out of a plane. I just think it's worth doing because it's the right thing to do. And the good news is that a friend, who has asked to remain anonymous, has agreed to match every donation dollar for dollar. So, between us, all we have to find is $2,450.

charity:water's admin costs are paid entirely by rich donors, so 100% of the money we raise will go directly to a water project in Rwanda. And when that project is complete, charity:water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the impact we have made.

Please give something, and help me make this birthday special.

Thank you.

David

* That's the end of the matching funds. Thanks, too, to the very kind anonymous friend who put up the money for that. You know who you are.