Hello to all my friends and supporters and THANK YOU for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.

Recovering from Cancer in 2005 has given me the drive and enthusiasm to try and help others, so once again I ask for your support.

29th May - 7th June 2009:  I will be hiking through the lost valley of the Inca's to try and raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.  I believe this will be a tough challenge, but of course  it will be  a minor challenge in comparison to the challenge of those currently suffering from Cancer.

The 10 day challenge will take the hiking challenge group through cloud forest to a 4200M Andean peak, trekking through high mountain passes to Machu Picchu, Peru's famous lost city of the Inca's.  We will be trekking and camping in remote and dramatic conditions. For further information about the Peru challenge or the work of Macmillan, please visit www.macmillan.org.uk/peru

Please revisit my fundraising page in order to be kept up to date with my fundraising and training. 

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure.  It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Support gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!  Please!!!!! Help me, help others.

Training:

Tues 30th Sept 08: Penshaw Hill  - up and down x 4 and then around the quarry and around Herrington Lakes, accompanied by Linda and

Sat 11th Oct - Whitby - on the way to the Abbey, up and down the Church steps x 4. Taking 2 at a time on the way up.

Keeping supple with plenty of gardening

Sat 25th Oct - Hannah Hauxwell country - the water of the reservoir fiercely splashing over the wall as we drove across - very little walking attempted today.

More gardening - bending, digging, shovelling

FYI - Money starting to come in from quiz sheets. I am  waiting for more sheets, so as to be able to distribute to more people. I intend to do a car boot sale at Seaham.with a new friend Jan. She has offered to donate her items in storage in order to raise funds. She's a gem ( a little angel on earth )

Fri 31st Oct - Finchale Priory with Catherine - beautiful short walk through the autumn leaves, followed by a lot of rain. Checked boots - feet felt wet - must add protector!

Sun 2nd Nov - approx 11 mile walk (Bewick to Wooler)  with Glyn and Washington walking group. Fabulous day, sitting eating packed lunch with sun streaming onto our faces. Home made apple pie and custard in tea shop at the end of the walk.

Mon 3rd Nov - more gardening - digging - good exercise

My email and broadband has been unavailable for just over 2 weeks.  I have not been able to attend any organised walks on Saturdays - I have been working Saturdays and loving it.  Climbed ladders at our Valeries - so still managing to keep supple.  Have been distributing quiz sheets, delay receiving further copies.

Hope to do another walk soon - so keep checking my fundraising page to be kept up to date..

Sat 6th Dec - Grasmere, The Lake District  - not working today - so time for a walk - great day with my friends Darren and  Dave - the sun shone all day and the scenery was spectacular, we did a short circular walk down to the lakeside and then back up through the trees - we certainly tested our breathing. We returned home via Honister pass, quite icy in part. Ended the day with supper and hot mulled wine in front of the Christmas tree and fire - great end to a great day.

Walk planned  with friend Jim  ( mountain ranger - so I should be put through my paces) - next  Thurs and Fri - so check again for  a few more details.

Thurs 11th Dec - Teesdale  - fabulous 12-13 mile hike in the hills with Jim - , taking in part of the Pennine Way .

Fri 12th Dec - Teesdale, 13+ miles  - again with Jim , so good to be alive and experiencing such fabulous scenery , including another section of the Pennine Way - and so near home. Completed end of route, from High Force to Low Force, walking by torchlight over icy , snowy and slippy patches. see pic

More walking planned for during Christmas holiday -

Dec 27th-Dec 31st - Austria - with friends. Fabulous , fabulous scenery. Feeling on top of the world on high mountains (see latest pic). Caught gastroentiritus for the second time this year.

 When fully recovered - further training with Jim, walking more of the Pennine Way.

One of my Christmas presents was a fabulous set of cerisse pink thermals and they kept me warm in Austria - so I'm a little pink panther getting ready to go. I have the pink hat, so just need a pink jacket. More pics to follow.

Thurs 15th Jan - Finchale Abbey - up and down 144 steps x 2 = 576 steps. I will try and do these each week.

Sat 17th Jan - Hadrians Wall - lovely walk, sunny, windy and cold - roses in our cheeks.  Supper with friends and then feeling exhausted and glad to be back home in my bed - a luxury not available on the actual challenge!!!!!!

Thurs 22nd Jan - Finchale Abbey - up and down ,144 steps each way, x 5 = 1440 steps.

£200 cheque gratefully received from East Rainton Methodist Church.

£50 cheque gratefully received from Seaham Methodist Church - raised from their penny collection.

I will be doing a presentation ( on my previous 2007 challenge, The Great Wall of China) at the Palatine Probus club on Wed 28th Feb.

Mon 9th Feb- Plenty of exercise shovelling heavy sand from one dump bag into another - should have gone walking but wanted to clear the drive - so still keeping fit !!!!

My latest news Tues 10th Feb  - I have a disco/auction evening planned for Sat 2nd May at Whitburn Cricket Club - this should be a lovely fundraising evening, approx 3 weeks before the challenge. I am currently contacting local businesses for auction items (overnight hotel stays or meal vouchers). I hope to receive their responses later this week. So I am keeping busy, plenty of organising, documentation, collecting raffle prizes and also collecting items for the table top sale at the village Community Centre March 14th. I need a date scheduled for the Yellow Fever vaccination.

Sat 14th Feb - walking along to Drewridge Bay with Darren and Dave - snow on the sand dunes, but still a pleasant mild day with no winds.

Wed 18th Feb - up and down Finchale Abbey steps 6x - thats 1728 steps

£45 gratefully received to date from members of St Mary's Church West Rainton - and forwarded via cheques to Macmillan.

Rather than leave everything to the last minute, I like to be organised so bit by bit I am collecting my toiletry esentials - I've bought my wet ones, insect sprays, suntan lotion and nappy bags. The protective plastic bags have been bought as a gift. My sister Valerie bought me a new jacket  for my Christmas present - so i should be pretty in pink. It will make a lovely change from me wearing red. As you know, I don't do dull.

A total of £115 gratefully received from Sunniside Methodist Church.and individual Church members. Cheque  forwarded onto Macmillan.

Travel Insurance £70.77 paid by me - what a shock at the additional insurance cost to cover previous medical conditions ie Cancer, another £92.03 from me

The date sheduled for the Yellow Fever vaccination is Fri 13th March - Fri 13th of all days!!!!! Hope all goes well. More cost to me £25

Mon 2nd Feb - swimming (15 lengths est) with my sister Vivien

Wed 4th Feb - up and down Finchale Abbey steps 7x - thats 2016 steps. Oh was I pleased with myself.

Sat 7th Mar - Hetton and area circular walk with Jim,  pic taken ( sporting my new pink walking jacket) at Joe's Pond. Est 13 miles in beautiful countryside and so close to home.

Sun 8th Mar - Walk with fellow China trekkers Christine and Carol, circular coastal route at Bambrough. Sun shining all day, but all wearing waterproofs to keep warm and keep the breeze  -  see pic.

Wed 11th  Mar -  up and down Finchale Abbey steps 7x - 2016 steps

Fri 13th - unable to have Yellow Fever vaccination until after review with doctor.

Sat 14th Mar - fundraising with friend Jan  - table top sale at West Rainton Community Hall - raised £55  I FELL

Experienced Whiplash and was in pain for several days - Ibuprofen, codien, paracetamol to the rescue.

Fri 20th - had Yellow Fever vaccination after review with doctor.  After effects -headaches but have not had a fever or cold - so all looking good.

Mon 23rd March  - PAIN GONE, up and down Finchale Abbey steps 7x - 2016 steps.

Bought the Malaria tablets at a cost  of £51.50 via a private prescription.

Table top sale scheduled for Sat 28th Mar at Nettlesworth Community Hall. Short walk planned with Jim afterwards. Long walk in the Cheviots planned for Sunday 29th March.

£10 received from a member of East Herrngton Methodist Church - forwarded onto Macmillan. £10 Cheque received from a member of Seaham Methodist Church -   forwarded onto Macmillan.

Sat 4th April   - reunion in Keswick with China trekkers, Barbara (from Wiltshire), Carol (from South Shields), Moira (from Granton on Spey, Scotland). Training up and down Catbells - see latest pic.

Easter Monday 13th April  -  cuddling the lambs at the farm, then onto Staithes (overcast) and then onto Roseeberry Topping (glorious sunshine) with friends Darren, Dave, Jamalie and Louis - fabulous day.

Disco Auction evening Saturday 2nd May  @ 7pm

The disco/auction evening planned for Sat 2nd May at Whitburn Cricket Club should be a great evening. During the evening a friend will be having his back waxed and is currently being sponsored - he is aiming to raise £200. So, make sure you buy your ticket asap.

I am receiving excellent response from local businesses - auction items received to date include dinner for 2 at The Roker Hotel, dinner and wine for two at The Trattorio Due, dinner  for 2 and bottle of wine from The Pullman Lodge, £20 meal voucher for The Vale, Sunday Lunch for 2 at The Floaters Mill, dinner for 2 at The Hartforth Hall Hotel, £30 food and drinks voucher for Chevita's Durham, 2 day passes for Sedgefield Racecourse, a limited edition print , signed by Niall Quinn, of The Sunderland Stadium of Light. I have also had 2 bottles of sherry and 2 bottles of wine donated by The Three Horse Shoes, Leamside, a beauty treatment voucher donated by Mavis and a case with wheels donated by Dave. In addition to these great auction items, I have some great raffle prizes. I hope you can come  - enjoy a lovely evening and at the same time raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Great evening - will advise money raised when all funds received. See pic of brave Kev having his chest waxed. WELL DONE KEV!

Bank Hol Mon 4th May - The Newcastle Upon Tyne Methodist District Annual Walk - Consett (Delves Lane) - 5 miles, with sun shining and then on the return journey home. up and down Finchale Abbey steps 3x.

Thurs 7th May - up and down Finchale Abbey steps 3x before going to work.

Sun 10th May - up and down Seaham Harbour steps  174 x 6 = 1044 steps

Mon 11th May - up and down Finchale Abbey steps 7x = 2016 steps

Wed 13th May - Wylam to Prudhoe, ( 8 miles) with Durham City Rambling Club - met another Celia - the second Celia I have ever met in my lifetime, very strange hearing someone call another person Celia. Great day  with lovely friendly people.

Sat 16th May - Hardraw Force with Darren and  Dave .

Sun 17th May - 8 hour walk with Jim - up the Cheviot and then around and onto  Harthope Hill and then down, climbing up and down peat hills and troughs, carrying a heavy backpack - great training.

Mon 18th May - up and down Finchale Abbey steps 2x = 576 steps

Friday 29th May 2009 - A FINAL THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!  I'm leaving Newcastle airport at 12noon and on my way to Heathrow to meet the other participants.  Excitement has set in - can't wait to begin this challenge.  Peru - Here I come!!!!  Love Celia x

4th June 2009 - HELLO FROM PERU!  CHALLENGE COMPLETED - I HAVE HAD A FABULOUS TIME.  No altitude sickness - Dead Womans Pass was exhausting going up, breathing difficult, stopping a lot - this was for most of us.  Scenery out of this world.  The group are great and so are the leaders.  I have enjoyed every minute.  We have just had eve meal immediately after arriving at the hotel.  We are all in desperate need of shower and hair wash.  I have taken hundreds of photos.  Old boots good, weather sunny, no rain, no blisters.  Just had a couple of small headaches, but 2 paracetemol did the trick.  I FEEL GREAT!  Free day tomorrow.

1st Aug - Hello again, apologies for the delay in writing. I had a fabulous experience apart from losing all of my photographs. It is such a shame because I took some amazing shots on a brand new Samsung camera. I will not buy another Samsung. I never believed a new camera and card could be so unreliable.

 

Good news - I have had my after Cancer checkup and all is well. I am so THANKFULL.

 

Mammogram and Ultrasound due soon