<p>&nbsp;</p> <p> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">While on my long walk I will be collecting money for two charities; M&eacute;decins Sans Fronti&egrave;res and Cancer Research UK. I chose these charities for two very different reasons.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span>&nbsp;</span>My employer, Northumbria University, has very generously given me sufficient unpaid leave for me to complete the walk (as long as I walk fast enough!). I consequently wanted to support a charity that was important to me and with which the University has an association. M&eacute;decins Sans Fronti&egrave;res is one of the charities supported by the University&rsquo;s Students&rsquo; Union this year and is one I greatly admire. It is an independent humanitarian medical aid organisation providing aid to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict. The majority of its workers are volunteers. They have struck me as one of the aid agencies most reluctant to leave areas of distress when things become very dangerous. I very greatly admire their workers.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">Recently a family member has been diagnosed with cancer and this brought home to me what a challenging disease this is to treat. I would therefore like to help support research into the treatment of cancer and support for those with the diseases. Fundraising for Cancer Research UK is a way I can do this.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">If you would like to donate to M&eacute;decins Sans Fronti&egrave;res, this is the page for you.</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;</span></h4> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">As for me, I am a 58 year-old man who enjoys the outdoors, especially mountain walking. I&rsquo;m reasonably fit but have become much fitter as I have prepared for this walk. I am both excited and scared at the thought of spending 12 weeks walking the length of the country but have been much encouraged by the support of my family and the good wishes of all who have heard of my plan. I hope to pay back some of this support through a blog as I walk.</span></h4>