Hello!

 Firstly, my apologies for not being organised enough to write sooner. I just want to thank you as a sponsor for the amazing experience you helped to give me and for part of the £2750 that I managed to raise for the MS Trust.

 Peru was a truly amazing place and the trek was certainly no picnic! We trekked over mountains and through valleys, meeting Peruvians in their own villages and sharing in their way of life. We reached our the highest peak in the Lares region at 4500m above sea level and ended our trip at Macchu Picchu – one of the modern 7 wonders of the world. We survived, rain, altitude sickness, over-friendly llamas, wind, hail, blistering sun and sheer drops of hundreds of feet if anyone put a foot wrong.

 We also got the chance, on the last day in Peru, to visit a children’s hospital in Cusco which was unexpected and actually a highlight of the trip. As you may know, I am going to med school in September and part of it requires you to spend 8 weeks abroad in the 4th year. I am almost certainly going back there for my 8 weeks to help out in what seems to be a very basic and desperately poor hospital.

 I would also like to thank you for giving me an experience that made me understand MS far better than before. At altitude you get very tired very quickly, you get cramps and you get disoriented and at times lose your sense of balance. You go from feeling like a healthy 24 year old to a tired old man. There came a point where I literally had to take 5 steps and rest before taking another 5 steps. This is what my mum has to deal with pretty much every day – and that’s just the beginning. MS sufferers who are lucky enough to be able to walk most of the time have to deal with far more than the symptoms I experienced but I got a real sense of at least some of the difficulties faced.
 Of course, many people with MS are not able to walk. Or mobilise. Or speak. Or swallow solid food. Many are left completely immobilised and susceptible to recurrent infections that can lead to death.

 By sponsoring me to take part in this amazing experience, you have helped in the fight against MS. The MS Trust can use your donation to pay for specialist nurses and other health professionals, help fund research, maintain MS centres around the country, offer support to sufferers and relatives and truly make a difference to people’s lives.

 On behalf of all people with MS, the MS Trust, and especially my family you have my heartfelt thanks.

Best Wishes,
Ceej