Hi everyone!

So ... What Am I Doing This Time?

After a two year break (thanks, Covid!), I decided it was time to get my hiking boots back on again and attempt another challenge. So this May I’ll be taking on the world-famous Inca Trail.

I have to admit that this one has been on my bucket list for quite some time. And although I’m bracing myself for what will definitely be a physically and mentally demanding  challenge, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to take on this once-in-a-lifetime South American adventure.

Why Am I Doing It?

You probably already know how proud I am to have been blessed with my fabulous son Harry (aka The Ginger Ninja) 11-years ago! Like many boys his age, our little pocket-rocket is determined, inquisitive, boisterous, a complete tech-head and unequivocally unique! He just also happens to have Down Syndrome, partial sight, a thyroid defect and social anxiety. 

Yet with an incalculable amount of support from his family, friends, two schools and some fabulous support groups, Harry manages to tackle these additional challenges head-on. And I’m delighted to say that he’s making fabulous progress both socially and educationally. He’s already got his future mapped out in front of him, so we’re very much looking forward to him becoming a chef, getting married to his long-standing girlfriend, having twin boys and acquiring a snazzy red sports car! And why not, eh? That boy is going to be whomever he wants to be, whether I like it or not, haha!

Whom Am I Doing It For?

There are a number of agencies and charities that support us as a family; far too numerous to mention them all. But this year, I wanted to pledge my support to a local charity, who have been absolutely fabulous with Harry both prior to and throughout the whole pandemic.

HENSHAWS is a Manchester-based charity that helps people living with visual impairments and sight loss. Not many people see beyond Harry’s Down Syndrome diagnosis, but he is registered partially-sighted, having been born with a condition called Nystagmus, which causes his eyes to constantly wobble. This obviously has an effect on his vision and therefore, his ability to learn and experience the world around him as you or I would.

The support, advice and training Henshaws provides is nothing short of life-changing, especially to children and young people like Harry. The charity enables children to take part in activities that help to improve life skills, develop confidence, attend social events and build fulfilling and rewarding futures; despite their visual challenges.

>>>   https://www.henshaws.org.uk/

The work that this charity does and the positive effects it has on my
own family, along with hundreds of families like ours, is incredible! My plan is to increase awareness of the work they do whilst at the same time raising as much money as possible to help them to fund future projects.

What's The Plan?

Rated one of the ten best trekking trails in the world, I’m bracing myself for a mind-blowing experience that will see me ascend deep into the misty mountains of Peru, alongside rivers in vast valleys and up through dense forests bursting with an incredible range of flora. Covering 43km and reaching altitudes of approx. 4200m (over three times the height of Ben Nevis), the climb traverses a vast diversity of terrains, from high desert plateaus to tropical Andean rainforest.

The literal highlight of the challenge lies at the finish line, when I (hopefully) get the chance to watch the sun rise over the magnificent Machu Picchu, aka. Mother Earth.

Why I Need Your Help

My aim is to do whatever I can to give a little bit back to this fabulous charity as a way of saying thank you for all the help and support they’ve given my son Harry over the last few years.  My role in this has been the countless hours of pre-trek training and weight loss which I'm hoping will see me safely up hill and down dale to the 43km finish line.

Naturally, I’m going to be heavily reliant on the generosity of people like you to help me raise as much money as possible to make this project a resounding success. And I know for some, that’s going to be pretty tricky right now, but literally, every single penny counts!

So please, could I ask you to dig deep, and if you have a spare pound (or ten), please consider donating to this fabulous cause. 

Since this is a 'fully self-funded trip', I can assure you that ALL monies raised will go directly to the charity.

So … here’s to lacing up the trusty hiking boots once again as I make final preparations for one of the most panoramically stunning yet physically challenging treks to date. 

Keep an eye on my Facebook page where (WiFi dependent) I’ll be posting regular updates during the challenge:    https://www.facebook.com/john.armstrong.3154284

Thanks in advance and see you on the other side :)

Best wishes,

John