Apology.
Hello everyone, as you probably know by now I have had to cancel my Home to Home charity trek this year - and please accept my apologies for this belated update.
I can't tell you how gutted I am not to have been able to do the trek - but I do have a pretty decent excuse - I nearly died! That may sound a little melodramatic but it is actually not far from the truth.
I came back from an expedition to south east Asia only to be taken seriously ill - so ill that I was in hospital for a lengthy stay. After a series of tests I was diagnosed with a tropical desease called dengue fever. I must admit there were times when I thought my number was up - I can't put into words how ill I was, I've never felt anything remotely like it in my life.
After I was discharged from hospital I tried to convince myself that I could still do the challenging trek by amending the route - I even toyed with the idea of doing part of it by bike! But stil feeling as weak as a kitten I realised it was not going to be possible this year. To say I was gutted is a major understatement.
So in the last couple of months I have been trying to recuperate and to build myself up in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain. The rest and oure mountain air has done me no end of good and although I wouldn't say I was back at 1005 even now I am getting there.
So to everyone who has already made a donation towards the charity appeal I say a huge thank you so. The trek WILL happen next year and I promise it will be bigger and better!
So again thank you so much to everyone - and stay tuned for more informationnd
I am embarking on an adventure which is combining my love of hiking and the outdoors with the opportunity of raising some money for Children in Need, a charity about which I am very passionate.
I have been a supporter of Children in Need for many years by donating to various local fundraising events. I believe the efforts and time put in by everyone concerned all year round is fantastic. The benefits and differences it makes to thousands of disadvantaged children all across the UK are huge and that’s why I am personally getting involved in a big way this year.
On the 5 of September 2008 I leave my home in the northwest of England embarking on the biggest challenge of my life for Children In Need.
I will be walking from my base in the Village of Capileira high up in mountains of southern Spain to my home in the northwest of England.
I will be trekking across official long distance hiking routes both in UK and Spain covering 1,400 miles of mountainous terrain which will take me approximately three months to complete. My goal is to raise as much as possible in donations from the general public and businesses along the way both in Spain and the UK.
I want to make this an exciting and much publicised event and wish to emphasise the mileage and terrain covered on exciting long distance hiking paths, Along the way you will be able to track my progress via this page and youtube.com with regular updates.
I aim to land back on UK soil on or around the appeal night, 14 November, to create more of a interest and awareness of my cause.
My routes in Spain will be the GR7, taking me from southern Spain to the Pyrenees in the north of Spain just below the French border, there I pick up the GR11 La Senda Pirenaica trail which is the Spanish side of the Pyrenees until I reach the Atlantic ocean.
There I will catch a ferry to Plymouth were I start my English routes. I start the west coast Peninsula path taking me 410 miles to Minehead where I cross the Severn Bridge and pick up Offa’s Dyke from Chepstow to Prestatyn.
The very last leg of my marathon journey takes me through Cheshire and finally to my home town of Leigh - and the comfort of my own bed!
Adios,, And thankyou so much for visiting my fundraising page.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: BBC Children in Need 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!
