Hi I'm Jon  and I'm Kathy

We've both been richly blessed but are aware of many who are not so fortunate.  What has affected us recently has been the subject of mental illness.  It doesn't get much publicity.  People don't understand depression (unless they suffer it).  We don't understand it either but we do know that it affects 1 in 4 people, taking over their lives and depriving them of all opportunity and lifetsyle. And they get no sympathy.

A good friend of Jon's - a Cambridge graduate and former stockbroker suffers from it and he won't mind us saying he has spent his last 15 years hiding away from the world.  A close family member suffers it and we have met many others when visiting.

Further, Kathy has worked with people with mental health issues whilst training as an occupational therapist and several of her friends have been affected.

So we want to do something about it.  We already have - we've told you.  And now we're going to try and extract some money from you  to give to MIND (see left).

In recognition of 50 years and 21 years on this planet, we and other family members (see top left) are going to undertake the 3 Peaks Challenge and climb Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis (that's 10,000ft) in 24 hours this August.

Please do help us to reach our fundraising target - we will need that extra incentive to climb the last 100 ft in British Summer (i.e. blizzard conditions).

PS. We do know the pressure that such events puts on the Mountain Rescue Service and as a personal donation, Jon will give £500 to the Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team (and even more if we have to use them!)

PPS. Well we did it!  Just.  We reached the bottom of Ben Nevis after 23 hours 57 minutes and all our benefactors should be getting a summary.  Meanwhile many thanks to all of you who have donated and have enabled us to exceed our target.