About 2 years ago my mum, Maggie, was diagnosed with an incurable form of brain tumour, a Glio Blastomic Multiform for those of you with a medical bent. She underwent experimental and traditional chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroid therapy which combined to give her a remarkable quality of life for many, many months.

However as time passed, Maggie's condition worsened and it was apparent that my dad and I could no longer deliver the level of care she required. Dorothy House stepped in and provided a service called "Hospice at Home". This service delivers palliative care to terminally ill patients, whilst they remain in the familiar and comforting surroundings of their own home. With this remarkable service providing quality hands-on nursing and advice, it was possible for mum to spend her remaining months at home and to pass away where she wanted to.

I cannot begin to explain how indebted I am to the nurses of Dorothy House who cared for mum during those last weeks.

NOW HERE IS WHERE I WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP.......

Dorothy House provides nursing and counselling to terminally ill patients both from their hospice near Bradford on Avon and at the patient's home. Their professional nurses, doctors, therapists and volunteers help over 800 people every day!

However, Dorothy House is a charity and they need to raise over £6000 a day to provide these services free of charge.

To show my gratitude to this wonderful organisation, I have planned a little charity challenge for myself which will hopefully raise some sponsorship for this fantastic organisation. Here it is....

Within the bounds of the Lake District National Park :

Kayak the length of all the easily accessible lakes (Ullswater, Windermere, Coniston, Wast Water and Derwent)

Cycle all the high road passes (Kirkstone, High Knott, Wrynose, Whinlatter, Newlands and Honister) and

Walk all the peaks over 3000ft ( Scafell Pike , Hellvellyn and Skiddaw).

In all it should take about 5 days in mid-May and will be achieved without motorised transport (except for logistics). As far as I can ascertain I may be the first person to do this, but then again it is a bit of a strange mix!

Please give generously, it will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for your time!