Challenge:  Walk 100k, Get my blue belt and lose 2.5 stone by July 20 2018

I am doing this challenge in the memory of Deborah.  Deborah was one of the people who comes to Speak Out.  She had a learning disability and Autism.  She had an amazing spirit.  Deborah was always positive and 'up for anything'.  She was involved in many of the Speak Out Projects, she was Chair of the Brighton and Hove Learning Disability Partnership Board.  She was a joy to work with and be in the company of. Deborah loved walking and last year raised some money for Speak Out by doing a sponsored walk.  Deborah died on Friday 6th July after a short illness.  We will all miss her greatly.  I thank her wonderful parents Vicky and Mike for allowing me to share this.

OK - so we all know i can walk 100K - i have done it before so this year i am upping the anti.  I am also in need of help personally in the form of motivation (which has been lacking) so i thought in true reality TV style, why not share a personal issue in the hope people donating will motivate me to sort it once and for all! 

So firstly - we are walking the Jurassic Coast 100k in as near to 24 hours as possible (Knees willing - more on them in a bit)  Obviously - we have done 100k before but it is harder and its more hilly this time (Poor knees)

Next - I got my Green Belt in Kickboxing at the end on January and i am going to try to get my Blue Belt before the walk in July - that's not even up to me ....it's up to my brilliant teachers Tiffiany WIlliams and Chris Kent... so i just have to train hard till then and hope i am good enough to have a go! (It's taking it's toll on my knees)

Then, probably the biggest challenge.....anyone who knows me knows i have been big all my life... those of you who have known me since i was 5 will be able to confirm.  I am sharing some horrible photos to prove it.  20 years ago when my mum died i was at my heaviest, 21 stone (i have never shared that with anyone).  I lived in a sweet shop (now it all becomes clear!!) and i wasn't ever really outwardly bothered about my weight but being really overweight isn't easy.  People aren't kind and i was probably called names by someone every day of my life till i was about 30!  I wasn't really bullied at school though, lucky enough to make people laugh and have great friends (and remember i lived in a sweet shop) Just after mum died i was diagnosed with diabetes.  I took it really seriously and lost about 7 stone.  Kept it off but it crept back up to 18 (even though i stayed quite fit).  Last year i lost a load of weight again.  It was great, i started back at kickboxing etc,,, but then just completely lost the will to lose the rest so whilst i have stayed fit - i still need to lose the rest....and i just can't seem to make myself.  So i thought do something different.... share it.... get sponsored for it.... milk it!!! I won't want to let people down so there is it... i need your help ... the the money will go to an even better cause - so it's used twice rally!!! Me and my achy knees need your donations.... I want to lose 2 and half stone my July 20 (if i don't though - in the region)

Speak Out is a Charity providing advocacy for people with learning disabilities.  We help people campaign, speak up for themselves and other people with learning disabilities.  It's getting harder and harder for organisations to get funded .  As a human rights based charity, we need to be as independently funded as possible - so your donations are so appreciated