I work for a company called Yorkshire Housing based in Leeds. They've very kindly funded a spot for me to skydive 10,000 feet in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. All I need to do is raise money, and lots of it. It costs £12,000 a day for the charity to keep two air ambulances in the air. If I'm going to raise a significant amount, I'm going to have to go farther than I've ever gone before. 

So, the plan is to run from Yorkshire Housing's new workspace in Leeds, to the airfield just outside Bridlington. This is more than three back-to-back marathons at just over 80 miles. After which I will jump from 10,000 feet in the sky. I'm not sure which bit most people would find scarier, as long as it inspires people to dig deep, I'll put myself through it!

It might be worth pointing out, I haven't so much as broken into a jog for over a year. In fact it's been an annus horribilis for me and my family. On 8th December 2021, my brother passed away. I received the call he was in trouble just after 11 in the morning and was around his flat within minutes. Three ambulances attended that day, including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The three teams fought for over an hour to save my brother's life, and though they were unsuccessful, I am indebted for their struggle that day. I know nothing more could be done, and in that there is solace. 

A few short months later, we also lost my mother. There is comfort she was unable to comprehend the loss of my brother. I also find comfort that my brother didn't experience the pain of losing our mother. I seek peace where I can, and am told to ensure I live my life in a way they would be proud of. This one is for both of them, and in the hope my fundraising ensures just one brother somewhere is saved one day...

The plan is, leave Yorkshire Housing's Leeds based workspace after work on Friday 16th September and run just over 40km to York, where I will get my head down for a few hours kip. Waking fresh Saturday morning, I will push on the remaining 85km to Bridlington, hopefully in time for another few hours rest, before a short 5km on the morning of Sunday 18th to the airfield, where I can throw myself to the ground at 120mph entirely propelled by gravity. No sweat!

A massive thank you to The Expanse Hotel in Bridlington (www.expanse.co.uk), who have donated a night's accommodation with breakfast in support of this fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Also thanks to the Supersonic gym in York (www.supersonicfitness.co.uk). I hate running and have no intention of any specific training for the run, but  fitness classes (with the 6:45 crew), alongside PT advice and Nat's sports massage treatments as well as Osteopathy from Cara (www.therehabprojectuk.com) keep me in the best shape I can manage, and hopefully that's enough for this challenge.

I will try to update on the weekend on Instagram stories:(www.instagram.com/cjjourneys - @cjjourneys)