On the 20th December 2018 my friend Catherine lost her battle with Cancer leaving behind her husband Colin and their amazing children Ethan 5 and Kara 3.

I've know Colin since we were tiny kids and have grown up together, staying close friends throughout. He met Catherine in 2007 and they clicked straight away, it was great seeing them both so happy. It was clear that they were made for each other and it was not long before they were married. Not too long after that, along came Ethan and then little Kara a short while later and things were complete.

In May 2017 Catherine was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and then in June 2017 received the devastating news that it had spread to her lungs and liver too but it had been classed as stage 4 inoperable Cancer. In 2018 more bad news followed and it was discovered that the Cancer had also spread to her Brain. Throughout all of this and through her entire treatment she never once complained, looked sad and above all else both her and Colin put the children first and managed to make some amazing memories together.

During her treatment, Catherine, Colin and the whole family spent a huge amount of time at Maggie's Cancer Centre in Newcastle where the help and support they were given was superb. The staff were truly amazing and helped the family so much in so many different ways. I often felt a bit useless and unable to help and so this is my way of not only helping but also honouring a wonderful young lady.

In the Spring of 2020 I will be leaving my wife and 3 children and heading to Nepal to attempt a boyhood dream. I will be attempting to climb to the highest point on the planet, the roof of the world, the summit of Mount Everest. It goes without saying that this is an unbelievably tough challenge but one that I am determined to complete and in doing so I hope to raise as much money as possible for the amazing people and team at Maggie's Cancer Centre Newcastle.

I will be away from home for 2 months and during this time I will be trekking up to Base Camp before acclimatising myself by heading up and down the mountain, gaining height each time. Then, hopefully, when the weather is right I will head up the mountain one final time for my summit attempt.

There is a long way to go and I have so much training to do in preparation. So for the next 12 months or so I will be taking part in many a different challenge from fell runs, endurance races, bike rides and even a possible world record attempt! I would like to invite you all to come and join me either in support or by joining in and helping raise some money. My goal is to raise as much as possible for this great Charity so please help me help Maggie's, Thank you.