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My name is Chris Firmager and along with my friend Lee Downie we aim to complete the world famous; and very challenging; Alfred Wainwrights Coast to Coast walk, in aid of the charity Teens Unite. 

The walk consists of twelve stages stretching over 190 miles from St. Bees on the west coast of England to Robin Hoods Bay on the east.

Crossing the Lake District, the Pennines, the Yorshire Moors and the Dales, it is a challenge that is not to be taken lightly. We aim to complete the walk in twelve days which will be a stage a day. We will be carrying our own equipment and as far as possible we will be completely self-sufficient and unaided.

For me personally this journey started six years a go when I was diagnosed as having Hodgkins Lymphoma aged 19.

Over the last six years it is thought that I have had more treatment for cancer than anyone of my age in the UK. 

At one stage I was told that I was terminal but after having a revolutionary new treatment which involved removing my own immune system and replacing it with someone else's, the doctors gave me a less than a 5% chance of survival.

I had taken my first steps to completing the challenge of a life time, a challenge that I did not wish to have to take. 

I have had two stem cell transplants as well as all of the standard treatment like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I was even part of a drug trial that will hopefully help future cancer patients.

In a cruel twist of fate, less than a year after I was diagnosed, my younger brother Carl also aged 19 was diagnosed with the same illness. Unfortunatley the illness took Carl away from us in July 2005. He was much loved. 

Through all of these difficult times there was one person that remained by my side and supported me through my entire journey, her name is Debbie. 

Inspired by our story and in memory of Carl, Debbie started the charity Teens Unite. The aim of the charity is to improve the lives of young people aged 13 - 24 with life limiting illnesses, such as cancer. They aim to do this by bringing teenagers together so they can help each other to increase their self-esteem and confidence, which was key to helping me recover from my illness.

I hope that Lee and I can raise enough money by doing this walk to help change the lives of others so that they may find the strength needed to help them through their individual illnesses. Just like Teens Unite helped me. 

Please, if you can, dig deep and give generously to our very worthwhile and essential cause but remember no donation is too small and every penny can make a difference.

If you would like to read more about my story you can at.....  

http://www.teensunitefightingcancer.org/index.php?aid=50

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website, we hope you can support us in anyway you can.

Together we can make a difference, divided we stand alone.

Kind Regards

Chris.