LE CHEMIN DE LA LIBERTE - THE FREEDOM TRAIL

We did it! Crikey that was hard - but when the rain stopped the views were magnificent. The feeling of achievement is immense. Next year? Planning a walk in Norfolk!!!! Check out the new pix. :-)

On 23rd July 2011, together with five friends, I will be undertaking an 80km trek on one of the hardest high-level wartime escape routes across the central Pyrenees into Northen Spain. The intrepid team of six includes my brother Jed; my sister-in-law Chris; my nephew Sean; and my friends Anna Holland and Dee Andrews.

The Pyrenean Mountain Chain forms the border between France and Spain and stretches for 270 miles. During the Second World War more than 33,000 civilians and 6,000 Allied servicemen were forced to tackle these peaks in an effort to escape from Nazi-occupied Europe and regain their liberty via neutral Spain.

For six days we will carry our tents and kit, following in their footsteps over what is described as "an extremely hard and difficult traverse of a high mountain range; climbing up to 2,600m not once but sometimes twice in a single day; there are snowfields to be crossed and sections of enormous granite boulders to be negotiated".

If I could, I had always intended to raise money for the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR), one of mum's favourite charities. Since suggesting the trek, our friend Sarah Gazey had to drop out of the challenge after being diagnosed with breast cancer. For me, this makes the challenge even more personal and the cause more poignant.

Maybe this is some kind of mid-life crisis? Perhaps the training should have been harder, and longer? But one way or another Jed says he's going to get us all over - and I believe him! Your support and belief would be greatly appreciated!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now. I haven't set a target - let's just see how well we can do. Thanks!

Love Chris