Back in December of 2017 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer which felt like a real punch to the gut and got me thinking ‘why me’. This was when with the help of Teen Cancer Trust I was invited onto one of the Climbing Out 5 day activity programmes. For 10 years, Climbing Out has run these 5 day outdoor activity programmes in the UK for young people facing the consequences of life changing illness, injury or trauma. For many participants including myself, along with membership of the peer support group, The Climbing Out Club, this has been the start of a new journey.

Now, Climbing Out are offering 10 young people like me the chance to challenge ourselves at a new level by participating in a wilderness canoeing expedition to Sweden. This will allow us to further develop our confidence, our bonds with our peer support and our sense of what we are really capable of.

As participants we have been asked to fundraise for the expedition. In this way we can help ourselves and each other along the way. Fundraising takes organisation, courage and determination, just like any other challenge. I hope you will support myself and the work of Climbing Out. Thank you.