Thank you for visiting my Justgiving page. On the basis that you've found this page, you probably know what I'm about to do and why I'm doing it. For those that don't a brief resume is in order.

In 1994 my daughter Georgina was born with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), more commonly known as "clicky hip". This entailed her spending the first two years of her life in and out of hospital, having various corrective surgical procedures and having to endure a whole series of large plaster casts. Now as a teenager she just has to have annual checkups, but I've maintained my association with STEPS, as it is a cause dear to my heart and I now find myself Chairman of the Board of Trustees. There is basic information on STEPS just to the left here, or go to www.steps-charity.org.uk.

HOWEVER and it's a big however, earlier this year Georgina was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes (Hodgkin's Disease) and whilst she has responded well to the chemotherapy and the prognosis is good, it has been an extremely worrying time for my wife Heather and I. It has been heart breaking to watch her go through the seemingly endless sessions of chemotherapy along with the rather nasty associated side effects. Nonetheless Georgina has been an inspiration to us all throughout this time and continues to be so. Hence I have decided that all funds raised from this challenge will be split 50:50 between STEPS Charity Worldwide and Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org). Cancer is a terrible condition that affects too many of us and therefore the sooner we find causes and cures, the better for us all.

STEPS will be collecting all the money and distributing half to Cancer Research UK; without going into a long and boring explanation, it is easier to do it that way. I'll provide full details and basic accounts to all people donating after the trip.

So onto the challenge: -

In February 2009 a small group of us will be travelling to South America to attempt a traverse of Aconcagua, by approaching and ascending from the east and descending the west side of the mountain. At 6,959 m (22,831 ft) Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America and indeed it is the highest mountain in the world outside the Himalaya and second highest of the fabled Seven Summits (the highest peak on each of the seven continents, with Everest being the highest at 8,850 m (29,036 ft)). Whilst not technically difficult Aconcagua is a very large and very cold mountain, so wish us luck.

I'm in training and it is going well. I'm running (well jogging, no slow jogging actually) two half marathons each week, along with associated trips to the gym and other shorter slow plods around the area. I give myself every Sunday morning off. I try to get to the Lake District as often as I can, as finding large hills to climb here on the Cheshire plain is not easy. Tommy our dog is seemingly enjoying the training regime far more than I am and is always keen to go out early in the morning, no matter what the weather. If you see us pounding the roads, lanes and paths around Sale together, give us a wave or a shout, as often we could do with the encouragement. I'm the one with the red face holding the lead.

So, if you are able please sponsor me. Donating through this web page is quick, easy and totally secure, just press the button above. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Steps Charity Worldwide and Cancer Research UK get 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, if you are able, sponsor me now!

Mid-January 2009 Training Update - The Christmas and New Year break was supposed to be the ideal time to ratchet up the training to the final level. However, most of it was spent either lying on the lounge floor stretching or lying on the chiropractor's table, after more than a bit of bother with my back, brought on by bending down to tie my shoelaces. I'd like to tell you it was brought about by some heroic training accident, but it wasn't. Anyway here we are with just over 2 weeks to go and we're back in training, trying to catch up on the 3 weeks lost. I'm now in the "no alchohol - train every day" zone, and I'm nearly back to where I was before my little episode. Rather it happened here than there!

February 2nd Update - 6 days to go, the spare room looks like an outdoor shop franchise, with two small looking rucksacks - it'll never all fit! Last long jog on Saturday was a cultural trip down the Bridgewater canal into Manchester and back (21 km), this week I'm winding things down as I'm now paranoid about injuring myself and anyway I'm too busy rushing around buying yet more stuff that won't fit in the rucksack.

February 6th Update - Off tomorrow, everything packed. Wish me luck. You can follow our progress at http://aconcagua-feb2009.blogspot.com/

March 3rd Update - I MADE IT!!!!!!  The photo shows me at the top, looking happy, but feeling rather tired after a 12 hour climb, and knowing we've got a 6 hr decent ahead (and it's 5.00 pm!). Back home now with all 10 fingers and all 10 toes (minus a couple of toe nails). Feeling happy and glad to be home.

Thanks for everyone's very kind support and generous donations.

If you need any further information just email me. charles@r-p-s.co.uk

Kind regards,

Charles