Most of you know that I had a fairly traumatic skiing accident in 2007.  I walked away with 'minor' scars but otherwise scott free!

Others are not so fortunate, one of these is Karen dark.  I was privileged enough to hear Karen speak last May.  She is an inspiration to anybody & opened my eyes to how different my life could have been with paralysis from the chest downwards.  How could you fail to be inspired by a woman who has, amongst a great list of adventures, notched up a crossing of the Himalayas & the Japanese archipelago on a hand-bike as well as a 600km sit-ski crossing of icy, crevasse riddled, Greenland.

Karen is a great advocate of The Back-Up Trust & motivated me to give something back to those less fortunate than myself.  The Trust helps individuals with spinal cord injuries to regain their confidence & participate in daily life as well as many sporting activities to the best of their ability.

http://www.backuptrust.org.uk/

What would my life be like without skiing, cycling, running & climbing.  I cant imagine.  How about you?  Did you know that 6 of the 7 members of the British para-lympic ski team got into skiing through the support of the Back Up-Trust?  Additionally, many children & teenagers (as well as adults)  who have become quite reclusive after debilitating accidents have regained their confidence, begun to integrate into every day life & started experiencing a more fulfilled life once again with the help of The Back Up-Trust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1IvgMbp-dY

So, in September 2010, I am 'self-funding' a climb up Kilimanjaro.  Self-funding means that by volunteering to finance the full cost of the trip myself, every penny given by yourselves will go straight into the of The Back- Up Trust purse. Who knows which of us may need their help in the future.....especially if you aren't an advocate of ski helmets....No names mentioned!  

Lets hope it doesn't happen & we all enjoy many more years of sporting activities.  

But dig deep just in case!