Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I apologise about the short notice but I only decided to participate in this walk for this particular charity since my Grandson was born on 25th March. After a normal pregnancy Hannah was given an emergency Cesarean due to low fetal movement, Tomas Patrick (Tommy), was born on the 25th March, he was just over 4 weeks premature.

Tommy was born with several problems, he was and still is a very poorly little baby and has already faced many challenges the like of which many of us do not face in a lifetime! It has also been a tough time for Tim and Hannah, their dedication and love for their little baby has been   exemplary. In a nut shell Tommy has a form of Leukaemia (Transient Abnormal Myelpoesis or TAM for short) which can only occur in babies with Trisomy 21 more commonly known as Down Syndrome. It was this combination that was also causing huge complications around his blood, liver and spleen and the trigger for all of his problems. In addition the Cardiologist has also advised that he has an ASD which is a small hole in his heart.

Tommy was born at Southmead Hospital in Bristol but was rushed to and is still in the Neonatel Intensive Care Unit at St Michaels in Bristol. For me it has been a complete eye opener, the technology, equipment and techniques that modern medicine uses is unbelievable what they can do and how they do it is amazing!. The care and compassion that, Tommy, Hannah and Tim have received from all the ICU team is faultless, their dedication to all the poor little sick babies and their parents is beyond belief.  The charity "Tots for Cots" support this unit and this is why I would like to show my appreciation for everything that they have done and are doing for my Grandson and all the other poorly babies.

I am walking the Great Glen Way which is a 76 mile trek in 4 days. I start at Inverness and finish at Fort William. It begins on Saturday 7th May and aim to finish on Tuesday 10th May. It was the idea of a good friend of ours who has set himself many challenges in his 80th year, this is the last one, he is riding it and wanted as many people to accompany him as possible, I initially thought this would be an excellent idea but then as I haven't ridden for some 16 years thought it might be too painful to enjoy! So I decided to walk it with our three dogs, two spaniels and a Labrador, in the same time as they are riding it. However I think the biggest challenge is going to come from Martin, my husband, after  an absence from the saddle for over 30 years but he is going to ride.......all I can say is "his bottom must be a lot tougher than mine!

Day 1 Whin Island Inverness to Temple Pier Dromnadrochit 16 ½ miles and approx. 5-7 hrs
Day 2 Temple Pier Dromnadrochit to Fort Augustus 22miles and approx. 7 - 10 hrs
Day 3 Fort Augustus to Gairlochy 24 miles and approx. 7 - 10 hours, although this is the longest day it is fairly easy and hugs the coast of Loch Oich and loch Lochy all the way
Day 4 Gairlochy to Neptune’s Staircase Fort William 10 ¾ miles and approx. 3 - 4 ½ hrs

Day 5 - Sleep!!

Any donations are of course hugely appreciated for this wonderful cause!

Kind Regards

Jean Edwards