I met my wonderful friend Clair ten years ago this month on a wet and cold night in Edinburgh. Clair was leading a Back Up City Skills Challenge course which supports people with Spinal cord injury to challenge themselves and improve their confidence and everyday skills whilst exploring a new city. I was traveling solo while putting together an accessible travel itinerary to Scotland for work. I'd never heard of Back Up at that point, but a chance encounter on the Royal Mile lead to the group inviting me to the pub to discuss access levels in Edinburgh (I gladly obliged) - and the rest, as they say, is history. Back Up and the wonderful people involved in the charity have been a firm fixture in my life ever since and resulted in many life long friends that I’m so lucky to have.

This year marks both the 20^th anniversary of the road traffic accident that resulted in Clair’s injury as well as 10 years of friendship since we met on the Royal Mile - if there was ever a good excuse to do something really stupid this is it!

So on the 14^th of September I’ll be joining Clair and 12 of her equally crazy, fabulous friends to conquer the beast that is Ben Nevis. It’s going to be a tough one and I don’t think any of us has really taken on board what it involves and what we need to accomplish as a team.

We’re taking on the challenge to raise funds to help Back Up continue the life changing work that they do to support people with spinal cord injury.

Every four hours, someone’s life will change forever as a result of a spinal cord injury. It is truly devastating. In a split second, you lose your independence, your freedom and perhaps your reason for staying alive. The suicide rate among people with spinal cord injury is six times the national average.

It can happen to anyone at any time, anywhere – in a traffic accident, playing a sport, skiing, riding a bike, a tumble after one too many, or something as simple as falling off a chair while reaching the top shelf. Until you or a loved one injures your spinal cord, you may never give it a second thought.

The team at Back Up are there through the darkest hours to show people that there is a positive future after paralysis. They have been there themselves, they understand and they’re able to help. I’ve witnessed it first hand time and time again - they are truly incredible.

I’d be really grateful therefore if you could spare some pennies to help us smash our fundraising for this challenge. Your donations to this charity have such a huge impact in providing support and hope for so many.

Thank you so much everyone - we’re going to need all the encouragement we can get!