Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and thank you to everyone who has already donated either through this page or offline. The total is building towards my personal minimum target but it would be good to bust it!

I am training hard now and looking forward to my Grand Canyon Trek which kicks of on May 15th 2010. We are now into April and my long weekend training walks are up to 20 miles so I am making good progress and back to where I was prior to my enforced mini-break in December. I now need to get more serious hill work into my training walks as we head towards May but I am on track and back to the sort of fitness levels I am used to.

It is going to be awesome and is something I have wanted to do for some years. The trek itself is going to be very challenging with some steep descents, tough undulating walking, swimming and at the end of all that we have to climb out!  I have completed some serious treks in the past including The Inca Trail in Peru, where I did have a run-in with altitude sickness, but this will be my first one where the heat is a daily issue.

The USA National Parks website sums up trekking in the canyon as follows:

"Going on a hike is wonderful way to experience some of the canyon’s rich natural beauty and immense size. However, even if you are an avid hiker, hiking the is very different from most other hiking experiences. A hike can be one of the most challenging and memorable experiences of a lifetime. But no hike in the canyon is easy: the terrain is steep, dry and rugged. Hiking in the is so demanding that even people in excellent condition often emerge sore and fatigued. Yet small children, senior citizens, and people with physical disabilities have successfully hiked the canyon. A hike into the will test your physical and mental endurance. Know and respect your limitations".

On the plus side we are camping on the Havasupai Indian Reservation - now that is cool. The scenery is going to be spectacular as we delve deep into the heart of the Canyon. We actually plunge some 3,100 ft down using an ancient Indian trail. Our campsite is right next to the bright blue green waters of Havasu Creek.

I'm doing this for Oakhaven Hospice where I also happen to be Head of Fundraising & Communications. Why? Well its simple, I love this kind of challenge and I also felt that it was about time I did something physical after seeing all the exploits of so many other people rasing money for my charity. I have also had the pleasure of visiting the Canyon and stood at the rim open mouthed and as an experienced hill & fell walker said "one day I am going to trek down there".

Can you help by donating something (every £ counts)? I do hope so and don't forget to leave a rude message! You can find out more about Oakhaven Hospice by visiting our website at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk  It is an independent hospice covering The New Forest & Waterside area and costs circa £2.5M to run every year for which we receive just 18% NHS funding.

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 help if you can and don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box (personal sponsors only) - every penny counts.