Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and for digging deep into your pockets and sponsoring me!

I am taking part in an exciting challenge with Scope ‘Bike16-27^th October 2008’. This is a six-day cycle from the north to the south of this fascinating country, and is set to be quite a challenge! Starting from Vietnam's bustling capital city of Hanoi, the cycle, over 450km which will lead through the ancient city of Hue, rural villages, lush paddy fields, mountain trails and river banks finishing on the stunning beaches of Phan Thiet and Mui Ne in the south. To have a more detailed look visit; http://www.scope.org.uk/downloads/adventures/scope-vietnam08itinerary.pdf

Please take a minute of your time to read why I am taking part in this challenge and why your support is so important!!

Why choose Scope?

Scope is a national charity supporting people with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is the most commonly diagnosed physical condition in the , and occurs around the time of birth when part of the brain fails to develop properly.

The time of diagnosis can be especially difficult for parents and Scope's national network of response workers help provide practical and emotional support.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (cp) is not a disease or an illness. It is the description of a physical impairment that affects movement. The movement problems vary from barely noticeable to extremely severe. No two people with cp are the same; it is as individual as people themselves.

"Cerebral palsy" includes a variety of conditions. The three main types correspond to injuries to different parts of the brain:

• People with spastic cp find that some muscles become very stiff and weak, especially under effort. This can affect their control of movement.
• People with athetoid cp have some loss of control of their posture, and they tend to make unwanted movements.
• People with ataxic cp usually have problems with balance. They may also have shaky hand movements and irregular speech.

How does it happen?

Cerebral palsy is most commonly the result of failure of a part of the brain to develop, either before birth or in early childhood. This is sometimes because of a blocked blood vessel, complications in labour, extreme prematurity or illness just after birth. Infections during pregnancy, or infancy and early childhood, eg meningitis or encephalitis, can also cause cp. Occasionally it is due to an inherited disorder.

What are the effects?

The main effect of cp is difficulty in movement. Many people with cp are hardly affected, others have problems walking, feeding, talking or using their hands. Some people are unable to sit up without support and need constant enabling.

Sometimes other parts of the brain are also affected, resulting in sight, hearing, perception and learning difficulties. Between a quarter and a third of children and adolescents, and about a tenth of adults, are also affected by epilepsy.

People with cp often have difficulty controlling their movement and facial expressions. This does not necessarily mean that their mental abilities are in any way impaired. Some are of higher than average intelligence, other people with cp have moderate or severe learning difficulties. Most, like most people without cp, are of average intelligence.

Is there a cure?

No, but we do know that correct treatment from an early age can ease the effects of cp. Occasionally children who appear to have cp lose the signs as they get older. Most importantly, having a disability does not mean that someone cannot lead a full and independent life.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Scope will receive your money faster and, if you are ataxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

For more information on Scope, the positive work it does and the many lives it reaches, and on how you can also help make a difference please visit; http://www.scope.org.uk/index.shtml

Many thanks for your support.