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Back in 2016, I signed up to do a trek in the Himalayas and to work on the Kanha National Park. The trek was going to be in October 2017 and it felt like a big adventure awaited.

Little did I know then, but I was developing  a condition which would lead me into a round of seemingly endless hospital appointments and tests to find out what the problem was. Things became very uncertain and as things seemed to get progressively worse over time, I didn't know how I would be come the time to do the challenge. Sadly, therefore, I felt I had to take the decision not to go to the Himalayas.

I was naturally very disappointed but what bothers me the most is that this challenge had meant to be an opportunity to do something for Durham and District Cats Protection. People had also very generously supported me and I didn't want to let them down.

With this in mind, I continued to think about how else I could support the great work that Cats Protection does. Another opportunity presented itself. In 2019 Cats Protection's challenge is a trek of the Great Wall of China. I have signed up to do it. I hope to be able to raise as much as possible for Durham and District Cats Protection. The trek will be from the 18th - 26th October 2019. Hiking will be for five days, along this magnificent man-made structure. We will be taken over watch towers and mountains, through historic battlement stations that are well off the tourist trail. One of the highlights for me will be the  1,000 steps up to the wall at Mutianyu – culminating with the ascent of the ‘Heavenly Ladder’. 

Taking part in a challenge such as this has always been a dream of mine. I have taken part in a number of different small challenges, the Great North Run, the Great North Swim.  The scariest thing I have done, which was also for Cats Protection was a zip wire slide from the Tyne Bridge in October 2015.  It takes something I'm really passionate about to take me out of my comfort zone. I'm passionate about cats, big and small and this is the main reason I want to support Cats Protection with this challenge.

I have three lovely cats from Cats Protection. From the first time I went to visit Durham and District Cats Protection, I was so impressed with the care and dedication given by the team of volunteers to the cats and kittens. Part of the reason why the cats I have are such wonderful members of the family is down to the attention that they were given in their early days at Cats Protection; helping them to socialise well and grow with confidence. Very different from the start that they had in life.