Raised: 93%
Target: £20,000.00
Raised so far: £18,650.00
Donate now

My story

 

This April I am taking part in La Patrouille des Glaciers, one of the most gruelling trans-alpine ski races in Europe. Our kit consists of touring skis, backpacks, head torches, skins, ropes for crossing the glaciers and ice axes, which we are hoping we won't need! We climb on skis and foot during the 25km race from Arolla to Verbier, which should take us no more than 9 hours to complete. However, the first hurdle is to make the 3000 feet ascent out of Arolla on skins, within 1hr 40 mins, otherwise we are turned back. If we fail to complete the race I will return all your sponsorship money.

Why am I doing this? When our son Henry was born profoundly deaf, Katie and I grieved for him, for his isolation, for the fact he would never share a joke, appreciate music and for his inevitable sadness and frustration. Then we heard about an innovative approach, Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) that would teach us as a family how to teach Henry to listen and to talk. We found the UK's only Centre for AVT and visited the charity's website (www.avuk.org) to see for ourselves. We steeled ourselves to watch the clips of the children during their therapy sessions. This was how Henry might communicate. Then the first clip started and we were astounded. The children, who had hearing aids or cochlear implants, were speaking and listening normally. We telephoned the next day and, when Henry was 3 months' old and and had just had his hearing aids fitted, we drove out to Oxfordshire for our first appointment. At 14 months Henry was fitted with a cochlear implant and our work went up a gear. Henry is taught through play how to listen and to understand what he is hearing - and it is working. He is closing the gap on his hearing peers and one year after implantation was only 3 months' behind! He relishes his fortnightly sessions of AVT. The leaps he makes have often brought us to tears. He shares our jokes, he dances with us to music and is a friendly little boy brimming with confidence.

There are only 4 Certified AV Therapists currently working in the UK and they desperately need more. Henry's entry to the hearing world has been incredible. Please help other children be so lucky. Please look at this short clip of Henry in action: http://www.oxfordav.co.uk/videos/henry_blue_baloon.wmv (3.8Mb) and please also visit www.avuk.org where you will be able to see other children speaking for themseves.

                              Thank you, thank you, thank you.

well done. Donation by Mocca 29/04/08  

£1,000.00 + £282.05 Gift Aid

For Henry to teach and learn from his father in every way possible. Donation by Scott and Betty F-M 28/04/08  

£500.00

We will sign you up for 2010 Donation by Lisa & Simon 24/04/08  

£100.00

I fail to see why i am sponsoring you for enjoying your favourite past time of skiing but at least its a good cause Donation by david bodmer 21/04/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

I hope it is as much fun as it looks! Donation by Chris Corrigan 17/04/08  

£500.00 + £141.03 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by nandkishore patel 14/04/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Roland 04/04/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Give the Big Girls a hug when they pass you! Donation by Eva & Reid 30/03/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

We in zimmerland salute you. Not a dry seat in the house.Keep safe and God Speeeeeeeeeeeeed! Donation by Tim Teasdale 13/03/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

9 hours ! Presume you've arranged to keep in touch with the markets whilst en route ! Donation by David Fitzsimons 11/03/08  

£500.00

Humbling. Please do not return any money to me, regardless of outcome. Donation by Rick 11/03/08  

£1,000.00 + £282.05 Gift Aid

Good luck, and all the best! Donation by Stefanie 11/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Go Go Simon, it sounds exhausting, but what fun, good luck. Love Rachael & Paul Donation by Paul & Rachael Van Geens 11/03/08  

£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid

Bless you all Donation by David Donnelly 10/03/08  

£500.00 + £141.03 Gift Aid

Good luck, Simon. Great, great cause Donation by Ray Duignan 10/03/08  

£500.00 + £141.03 Gift Aid

Good luck Simon... a great cause. Donation by Mike Weston 10/03/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Dear Simon, Good idea, such a worthy cause. Here is £100 to help you on your way. Best, Peter Donation by Peter Stott 10/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck Simon, just as well you are SO fit! Donation by Jonny Gray 09/03/08  

£150.00

We saw you training hard in Verbier. No doubt you ll make it. You have all our support and admiratio Donation by Thib & Doro Parayre 09/03/08  

£300.00 + £84.62 Gift Aid

Very worthy cause Simon,well done Donation by Piero Chiesa 07/03/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Completely mad....great cause, good luck Donation by Helen Watson 07/03/08  

£150.00 + £42.31 Gift Aid

Good luck, it sounds like a tough test! Churchill said "When you're going through hell, keep going"!!. Donation by Ravi Joseph 06/03/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Best of luck Simon, though I have no doubt you'll succeed.Perhaps Southern Electric can toss a few notes back your way !! Donation by Jim Ryall 06/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Best of luck Simon, fantastic cause and will be a fantastic personal achievement. Keep safe! Donation by Katherine Rees-Oliviere 06/03/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Double this if you run under 3 hours 30 minutes. Good Luck. Donation by Anthony St John 05/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Take very great care - lots of love from the in-laws! Donation by DEREK PORTER 05/03/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Best wishes and take care Simon. Donation by Maurice Cowey 04/03/08  

£500.00

Simon, you are the best!! I will be cheering you on in my heart and sending love to Katie, Henry, Anna and Lara. Donation by Patricia Chadwick 04/03/08  

£500.00

I know i should be there with you guys but it is easier to sit on my lardy backside and spur you on Donation by Mark Webber 04/03/08  

£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid

Please take a picture of Jeff at the top of the first skin-good luck Donation by John Mason 04/03/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £18,650.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £2,933.33

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