My New Year's Challenge this year was to sign up for the Big Black Mountains Challenge on 13th May 2017 when I will be walking 32km (20 miles) through the stunning scenery of the Black Mountains and at the same time raising funds for the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.

Starting at Llanthony Priory in the Vale of Ewyas, the walk takes in part of Offa's Dyke path and also the historic beer track along which it is said that the Black Canons transported ale to sell in Longtown.

This will indeed be a challenge for me as previously I had only walked 6 miles at a very slow pace and with a profound dislike of hills as befitting some from East Anglia! My recent training has included 11 miles around Llanthony, 12 miles around New Radnor in snow and gale force winds, and 15 miles on the Mortimer Trail.

Many people move to or visit this beautiful part of the world in order to go hill-walking and it is comforting to know that the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team are there to help us, should we need it.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.