Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Once again I have been inspired to take on another challenge and this time I plan to trek The Great Wall of China in October 2011.
I have funded the trip myself so any money donated will go straight to my chosen charity.
As I write this it is exactly 11 years since our son, Harry, lost his battle against Neuroblastoma.
When Harry was diagnosed in July 1998 with Stage 4 neuroblastoma we were told he had a 20% chance of cure. We lived with the hope of being part of that 20% until we were told otherwise in October 1999.
It saddens me that over 10 years later the prognosis for this aggressive childhood cancer remains low at only 30% survival rate for stage 4.
Since Harry died we have raised money for charities who offered much needed support to our family. I have now chosen to raise funds for The Neuroblastoma Society who not only offer considerable support for children and their families but strive to find new treatment which will hopefully one day lead to a cure to this aggressive disease.
So please dig deep and donate now.
Many thanks for your continued support.
Liz xxx
21st Jan 2011 - First official 'training' walk today. 6 miles to The Balloon Tree and back. Will need to walk a bit faster and chat less!!
Feb 2011 - Another 6 mile walk on 1st Feb to Thixendale. Walk described as 'undulating' - pretty breathless at the end of it!
Trying out walking boots and realise my feet don't fit most of them - turning into a difficult process!
8th Feb took us on a 7 mile circular walk from Bishop Wilton. Some big hills along the way but managed them quite well.
End of the month and decide to sign up for the Hull 10k as part of my training plan - might regret it!
March 2011 - on the 1st me and Anna walked from Wetwang and as predicted got lost! Ended up walking up the A166 (pretty busy road to say the least!) 8 miles so distance increasing.
8th March took us to Fridaythorpe joined by Emma plus Noodles and Murphy (the dogs!). We managed 10 miles but got lost - again - and a little worrying as we come out of a field that had a notice 'Beware Bull in Field'!
Mike joined me on a 5 mile walk to test out my new boots having returned 2 pairs!
April 2011 - Haven't managed to get out walking much but have been on a few short runs in preparation for Hull 10k. Also preparing for a Table Top Sale and Coffee Morning that I've arranged for May to raise funds for the charity.
May 2011 - Getting worried about lack of training for both run and trek.
6 - 8 May me and Mike met up with Leah, John and Tilly for a walking weekend in Malvern. Great weekend. 12 mile walk on the Saturday up and over the Malvern's. Was a tough walk but me and Leah focused on points to walk to - i.e a twig or a bush!!
Walking boots felt a little 'tight' by the end of the day but we'll see. Had a little go with Leah's poles on the Sunday, not bad, but you should see her go with those poles!
14th May- Table Top Sale and coffee morning in village this morning raised a staggering £620 for the charity. I can't thank people enough for their continued support and kindness x
15th May - The day of the Hull 10k. My aim was 1 hour - I did it in 1 hour 1 minute, close enough I think! I couldn't have done it without Mike even though I verbally abused him along the way. Really should have done a lot more cardio training as my legs felt great but I was totally out of puff!
I've mentioned Mike who is always there to support me and encourage me in whatever I do but I must mention our 3 wonderfuld children George, Grace and Edward. They have all contributed (especially this weekend) and George has even worn the bright yellow charity t-shirt this weekend which can't have been easy! Grace and Edward both ran in the mini and Junior Hull run and were superb with fantastic sprint finishes. xxx
11th July - well getting a little panicky as go on holiday in 3 days time so no training for 3 weeks and really not up to a level of fitness I'd like to be. Note to self - increase training when I return!
Aug 2011 - well note to self didn't work! Fabulous holiday with the family. Great intentions for August to go out walking with the kids, problem being that wasn't part of their plans!! Did a few short runs to try and help with general fitness then a weekend away walking over the Bank Holiday. Had two 7 mile walks planned - first day started well then pole broke after half an hour (that was the reason they were £2.50 each!). Climbed alot of steps and did some hills then the heavens opened and we got absolutely drenched - Ed and Grace's boots were squelching and our waterproofs were far from it! Walk cut short to 4 miles. Second day much better - 7.5 miles up some steep hills. I puffed my way up while Ed just ran most of the way! That's it for August's walking - definitely need to do more in September as getting close now.
Sept 2011 - well a big improvement with training, thank goodness! Managed to go out walking with Alison (a friend who is doing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in October). Well she's fit and walks mighty quick and she introduced me to Millington Pastures and 'An enormous hill'. puffed and panted my way up stopping about 5 times on the first attempt. Pleased to say by the end of September I managed to get to the top without stopping but totally out of puff!ept 2011
23rd Sept - Harry's birthday. Emotional week, a few tears shed but its made me realise once more why I'm doing this challenge. It's horrible not being able to celebrate your child's birthday with them.
I have been out running a few times and felt better after walking 8 miles on Thurs 22nd followed by another 8 on the Saturday and 6 on the Sunday - my feet weren't too happy. Boots feel better, still look like Minnie Mouse in them! Definitely feel better walking with poles - not long to go now.
29th Oct 2011 - Well I've been back 2 weeks tomorrow and I DID IT! No blisters either - I now love my boots!
Today seems a perfect time to summarise the last year as 12 years ago today Harry lost his battle with Neuroblastoma. Whilst I'm fit and able to do so I will continue to raise funds in the hope that one day someone will find a cure for such a horrible disease. Whilst trekking I had a picture of Harry attached to my back - my reasoning was if the going got tough then I'd take a look at his smiling face, think about what he went through and then get on with it! It worked but I really don't want any other parent to do a trek in this way - I want them to be able to go home and tell their child all about it and not just have photo's and memories. His picture reminded me why I was in China.
China - what an amazing place! It certainly exceeded my expectations. The scenery was stunning, the photo's really don't do it justice. The trekking was hard going but with my friend Leah by my side we laughed, cried and sang our way along that wall!
I was fortunate to be amongst a wonderful group of people who all had their own reasons for doing the challenge, their stories were inspirational.
I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me through this adventure - I really couldn't have done it without you.
My biggest thanks are to Mike, George, Grace and Edward - my wonderful family. They have been so supportive and made it possible for me to go to China and enjoy every bit of the experience. I love you all xx
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.
