WE ARE TEAM BIG BOOTS SMALL BOOTS!
Jo Samuels (boot size 8) and Sarah Morgan (boot size 3).
Blog http://www.sarah-morgan.co.uk/ChallengeBlog/
We are trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas to raise funds for the Big C cancer charity based at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.
The size of our newly acquired walking boots sums up our general chalk and cheeseness! But what we do share is a determination to raise as much money as we can for this amazing charity. We have funded the trip ourselves and every penny donated will go directly to Big C. In our own words, these are our reasons for going:
JO: 'Eighteen months ago I was diagnosed with cancer. Within three weeks I had had a mastectomy and had begun a rollercoaster of gruelling treatment, both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I have two young sons with Jon, my partner of 20 years, and it was completely terrifying. It dominated my every thought and even doing the simplest chore was hard.
As part of my treatment I was refered to the Big C Charity at Norfolk & Norwich hospital to have a wig fitting. Just walking through the door was traumatic - there was no denying I really had cancer. But once inside the people were wonderful. They allowed me to just 'be' however I needed to be. If I wanted to sit in a corner and cry, that was fine, or if I needed practical information, they could help there too. They also respected that cancer affects the whole family, not just the patient, and they really supported Jon and the boys too.
I'm fit and healthy again now and would love to 'give back' to this wonderful charity. Please support us in our fundraising challenge - any amount no matter how small will be brilliant! Thank you, Jo x
SARAH: I'm doing this because if Jo can, then so can I.
I can't think of anyone I would rather spend two weeks with, even if it means being smelly and footsore halfway up a mountain. Those who know me well will know I'm not the 'outward bound' type and I've never been camping before or trekked further than the shops, so roughing it will most certainly be a personal challenge.
We have quite a journey ahead; we have to get fit and raise lots of money before we even embark on the trek, not to mention wearing in our shiny new boots!
I'm doing this for Jo and other lovely friends who have been through a tough time because of this horrible disease. And in memory of my dad, who also liked a nice walk. Please support us to raise funds for this excellent charity. Thank you, Sarah x
Update: it's nearly Christmas and we are doing really well with fundraising - only another few hundred quid to go! We organised a charity cocktail party in November which was a fab night of glamour, gambling and dancing - and raised about £1700!
Now for the hard bit - getting fit. Jo and I have joined a gym. I can't say I love it but am getting used to it - also getting addicted to the spoon fed daytime telly as I pound the treadmill. Got to find some real hills now - Norfolk's a bit lacking. The Yorkshire Dales in January might be in the offing... Sarah x
