Imagine the scenario.

A very hard-working and highly educated scientist has made a breakthrough with his new project. It is expected that his new device will have a huge impact on many people’s lives. We expect he is very excited.

He is an engineer with expertise in rocket propulsion, aerodynamics, chemistry, physics, and fluid flow. His particular speciality is delivering substances that decompose rapidly under certain conditions and produce gases which expand by heat of reaction. Today he has made a breakthrough by creating a device that can be delivered to women and children living in the most remote areas.

The hi-tech device is called a PFM-1 and if a child or mother steps on it, the resulting explosion neatly removes their foot from the knee down. If they are lucky they get to keep the other foot.

A lot of effort has gone into the science of maiming people using landmines and it takes a very special organisation to stop this horror. I had the privilege of meeting  Phil Halford who is one of MAG’s ‘ bomb disposal’ experts,  who estimates that during his time with MAG he has removed about one million devices, which were designed to change people’s lives in the most horrific way possible.

When I decided to support MAG, by donating the proceeds of my book to them, you no longer need to ask me why.

Since posting this blog I have been delighted at the response. It is good to know there are so many people who are willing to give generously to a very worthy cause once it is brought to their attention. To order the book and raise funds for MAG click here