Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Last year I competed in the Oxfam Trailwalker [http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/fundraise/trailwalker/index.html] which is something I had never done before.  It was the greatest single triumph (bar the birth of my children!) in my life to date and I’m mad enough to compete again this year.  It is the equivalent of almost two-and-a-half marathons back-to-back!  You have 30hrs to complete 100km (no sleep!) passing through 10 checkpoints along the way  

I trained for the event last year with my father-in-law Michael Ryan (“Mick”), the fittest 71yr old you would ever wish to meet, I was proud to have met Mick back in early 1993.  Unfortunately, and as a complete surprise to all of us, Mick became unwell in late November and was diagnosed with several brain tumours in December.  His deterioration was rapid and he lost the ability to speak very early on during his illness but his strength of character shone through.  Christmas was, as I’m sure you’ll imagine, difficult but Mick began radiotherapy early this year, unfortunately this did not halt the disease and Mick was admitted to the St. Michael's Hospice (North Hampshire) in late January.  Mick passed away peacefully on the 12th February at the hospice 

The care he received was fantastic, the dignity that was shown to him and to all of his family, that visited Mick, was very special and helped us to deal with, what was, a difficult & painful period.  It also supported us and allowed us to come to terms with the final chapter in his life. 

I want to recognise that and this is why I'm also raising money for St. Michael's Hospice as well as The Gurkha Welfare Trust (“GWT”) / Oxfam GB who are the joint beneficiaries of Trailwalker.

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Please, if you can, donate now, all donations however big or small are gratefully received and really will help to change peoples lives