All 3 tasks now completed!

I found the skiing the hardest of the three for 2 reasons.

1. I had to start the ski run from 3600ft

2. I found it difficult to keep upright and control my speed.

It wasn't the most elegant of descents but I managed to ski down albeit sometimes on my bum!

Thanks for all your generous support over the last 3 years.

I'll be 60 in August, so this year I'm undertaking the last of my 3 tasks:

Complete a ski run on a mountain

We are going to Aviemore on March 1st to attempt one of ski runs on Cairngorm.

This may seem straightforward to some but I have a fear of heights. I panic when on an exposed steep slope!  I also hate the cold wet snow. I have had a few lessons beforehand so I'm not completely unprepared!

I'll be posting some photos of the ski run next week so keep checking the site.

Last year I completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon (2hr 15min) and the previous year I climbed on Schmutzig on Pandy Outcrop in North Wales. See photos.

So, to my chosen charity:-

THE NEURO ASSOCIATION

Neurofibromatosis or as it is commonly known NF1/NF2, or not so commonly known, as whenever I mention this condition to people the majority have never heard of it.

"Neurofibromatosis" is a term that encompasses at least two distinct, hereditary disorders caused by abnormality in a gene.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the more common disorder, affecting about 1 in 4,000 people throughout the world. NF1 is characterized by developmental changes in the nervous system, skin, bones, and other tissues. Its most distinctive features are multiple benign, soft tumours called neurofibromas and patches of skin pigmentation called café-au-lait spots. NF1 can also affect nerves throughout the body, including in the brain and spinal cord.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) affects about 1 in 40,000 people and is characterized by the appearance of tumours of the hearing and balance nerve, called vestibular schwannomas, as well as other tumours of the nervous system.

Both NF1 and NF2 are genetically determined disorders, meaning all affected members of a family have the same form of NF. It is possible that other types of NF exist, but this has not yet been firmly established.

Although this condition is a genetic condition which is hereditary it can also be developed by what is known as a misspelt gene in a person whose family haven’t had any history of the condition.

The Neuro Foundation do a fantastic job raising funds by organising Family Fun days, sponsored walks runs to name but a few. I would urge you to visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.nfauk.org to obtain further information on the condition and indeed the work undertaken by the foundation.

I gave you above the Three reasons why I shouldn’t do the Three things, but here is the ONE reason why I definitely should.

This charity is especially close to my heart, as an immediate member of my family is affected by NF1. With the continued help and support of our consultant Dr Susan Huson, who is an active member of the Neuro Foundation, and her team, we have as a family, been able to understand and cope with the situation more readily than if we didn’t have their advice and backing to rely on.

Please therefore help me to put something back by sponsoring me in my three “to do’s” and passing this email on to as many of your friends as possible.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.