Since having the privilage of spending 15 weeks working alongside the nurses and support staff at Acorn's in Selly Oak, I have wanted to do something to help make their jobs just that little bit easier. The vast majority of the cost of running the hospices and providing first class care to life limited children and their families comes from charitable donations. Just 10% comes from statutory funding. It costs £450 a day to keep each bed open. That's £4500 per hospice and over £6million per year!

I hope that by training (yes, going to the gym and out in the rain) and by spending a tough 10 days treking at high altitude through Peru I can raise something towards such a massive but worthwhile cost. I am covering the cost of the trip myself so every donation made goes straight to Acorns.

***PLEASE NOTE: Date of challenge has changed to June 6th 2009 ***
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Acorns Children's Hospice Trust 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!