Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Benjamin Penny and I work as a tanker driver for Hoyer at the Coryton Thames Depot. I am climbing Mera & Island Peak in the Himalayas at the end of October 2018 the climbs will take me approximately four weeks to complete and I have been working endlessly in my training. I have self-funded the climbs as they have always been challenges that I have wanted to achieve on a personal level.
Recently, whilst at work I began a conversation with a fellow colleague, he informed me that his twin grandchildren Kennedy and Karter had been born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, this is a cruel disease that causes severe muscle weakness. Unfortunately his grandson Karter passed away at just five months old, the doctors and specialists had stated that his granddaughter Kennedy would not make it to her second birthday. Kennedy is now six years old and she has defied all the odds and fights every day to live. The impact of SMA affects Kennedy on the ability to feed, move muscles, talk, play and she is even unable to breath without the help of a ventilator. Kennedy's brain still functions allowing her to absorb information. Having had the opportunity over the past month to meeting Kennedy and her family it has had a huge impact on me by seeing at first-hand what an inspiration Kennedy really is.

As I have my Mera & Island Peak challenges ahead of me, I thought what better way for me to be able to do something for Kennedy by turning my climbs into a sponsorship. Kennedy is supported by the children’s charity Whizz-Kids (registered charity No. 802872). They are a children’s charity that support disabled children by providing vital equipment to enhance their lives and enable them to reach their full potential. I have already contacted Whizz-Kids who have agreed I can achieve the climbs for their charity, which will help support Kennedy in her need to have vital equipment that will help her communicate more effectively with her family.
I am therefore reaching out to you in the hope that you will kindly sponsor me on my challenge. This is a huge challenge for me to achieve my own personal goal but also for me to raise as much money as possible for this very worthy cause.
I appreciate you taking time to read my just giving page.

Many thanks

Benjamin Penny