Firstly, a big “Thank You” for visiting my JustGiving page!

       In March 2011, I discovered Climb Your Mountain (CYM), which is a registered charity, based in Milton Keynes, that promotes physical and mental health and general wellbeing by offering a range of physical activities, trips and educational courses. They have helped me enormously and I can’t thank them enough!

       Whether suffering from depression, stress, anxiety, low confidence or low self-esteem, CYM offers support, training, motivation and opportunities to prevent, deal with and overcome debilitating mental issues. They do this by focusing on exercise and inspiring physical activities plus they also offer educational courses to individuals and teams. They provide self-help information and knowledge to help people climb their own personal ‘mountain’.

        I have personally faced some challenging times over the last few years and CYM has now become an important part of my life! Through them I have recently climbed Snowdon and Ben Nevis, which were both fantastic experiences!! I have been on some great walks; both locally and to the Peak District and I also take part in many of their weekly activities, not to mention all the lovely people I have met along the way!

       The main way that CYM is funded is from people undertaking fundraising trips and challenges to raise sponsorship for taking part in physical events ~ and this is where I come in!! I am 50 next year and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate and to show my appreciation than by completing two challenges in 2012 which are ~

     The First ever Milton Keynes marathon in April 2012
     The Great Wall of China Trek in May 2012

     I am very excited about these challenges and for the opportunity to be able to raise money and awareness for such a fantastic charity. I feel very passionate about their aim and the amazing work that it does! I have seen the photos of the Great Wall Trek and believe me, it’s not going to be easy!! But then, of course, it wouldn’t be a challenge ………

         So this is where you come in!! Please help me to raise as much money as I can by digging deep and donating as much as you feel able to for my 2012 challenges. In this way we can support this fantastic charity so that they can continue to support the people who need it, myself included, for which I am extremely grateful!! Any amount, however small would be very much appreciated – as they say “every little helps”!!

       Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your personal details are safe with JustGiving and they will never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they will send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer.

        For more information about this great charity please visit www.climbyourmountain.org. Absolutely anyone can benefit from getting involved, meeting new people, doing new activities, going to new places and achieving new things. Try it - there's something for everyone and it's great - I did and I absolutely love it!! It has changed my life!!

         If you would like to take part, or get involved in any of my fundraising events, have any ideas, or would like to donate any raffle prizes or unwanted items for car boot sales, then I would really love to hear from you!! You know how to find me!! Also contact me if you would like to buy any of my homemade jam, chutneys, crumbles, mincemeat, bracelets and bookmarks - all on sale now!!

        Lastly, I would like to say a huge big THANK YOU to all those people who came to my big 50th Birthday Party on Saturday 4th February 2012, with a Chinese New Year theme (Year of the Dragon) ~ as promised it was a FAB night and raised £1500 for this fantastically amazing charity!!

       Thank You, and I would also like to say a special BIG  “THANK YOU” to Charlie Wardle, for without him, none of this would be possible!!

            Love Jo Beach xx J xx

UPDATE (May 2012) - Well I have just got back from the most FANTASTICALLY AMAZING experience of my life so far (apart from having my two beautiful daughters that is!!). China was bloody AMAZING - I had the priviledge of being with a wonderful bunch of people and we had the best ever Chinese guide - Jerry WeiWei !!  Photos and words alone cannot describe how wonderful the Great Wall of China is and we had such great weather so we were able to admire all the fanastic views. China is a lovely country.

Thank you for visiting my justgiving page and for all your wonderful support - it means such a lot to me!!

"Don't forget your treasures!!"

Love Jo xx