As many of you know, I've been lucky enough to have participated in two, six-week expeditions to Nepal, through my involvement in Hampshire Scout Expeditions (HSX), including leading the Nepal 2013 expedition.

During these trips I’ve grown a deep love of Nepal, it’s people and it’s breathtaking scenery. I have many amazing memories of spending time in Kathmandu and the Khumbu Valley, visiting temples, working with the Sherpa's on community projects in Khumjung and Pangboche, trekking to Everest Base Camp and topped off by the summiting Island Peak, a 6,189m mountain, on 29^th September 2013.

I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of this without the help and support of the Nepalese people, who I can genuinely say are some of the nicest and friendliest people I’ve ever met.

The images coming out of Nepal over the past few days have really struck a chord with me, so many of places I know have visited have been raised to the ground, villages have been left in ruins and the locals have lost their home… or worse.

On Sunday 17^th May I’m going to be taking part in my first marathon, the Montane Trail 26 in the Howgill Fells. Rather than making life easy for myself, and easing into this long distance running malarkey, I’ve chosen an event through the mountains, which includes anywhere between 700-1,000m of assent, on top of the 26.2 miles!!!

Given everything that Nepal has done for me over the years, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to give something back.