What I've done...  After finally admitting to myself that this was happening, along with 7 others, we completed the 3 Peaks Challenge which entailed climbing 3 mountains across 3 days;  Friday = Snowdon (1085m), Saturday = Scafell Pike (978m) and then Sunday = (1344m).

Check it out:  (http://www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk/).

Due to injury, I had to make the decision that I would only be able to do 2 of the 3 mountains.  I successfully got to the summit of Snowdon but could only walk around the mountains of Scafell rather than complete the climb, and aimed to get at least half way up Ben Nevis.  I did manage to get a bit further at 3/4's of the way up before having to retreat.

Why I did this...  It sounded like a nice idea at the time! 

But what really made me do it was this; for those of you who know my family, you'll be well aware of Isaac and the challenges he faces on a daily basis and what an amazing person he is growing up to be.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, Isaac came to us when he was 8 days old, having been diagnosed with Phocomelia.  This is an extremely rare malformation in which babies are born with missing or shortened limbs.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phocomelia

Isaac is now 15 and is confident, cheeky, troublesome and funny!  He attends mainstream school and will be staying on at Sixth Form next year. 

There have a been a few charities and Local Authority organisations over the years that have contributed in various ways, but the Pilgrimage Trust in particular (HCPT) have, for the last few years, taken Isaac on an annual Easter pilgrimage to Lourdes, which he feels is a good experience and one that he wishes other children could have.   

What happens... in Isaacs own words:

For the last few years I have been taken to Lourdes in France by volunteers for a charity.

We usually leave early on Easter Monday when helpers come in a car to take me and my wheelchair to Stanstead Airport, from where we fly to an airport outside Lourdes and then we have a half-hour drive to the hotel.

Depending on what time we arrive we have a meal then go on a tour of the town.  Meals are mainly taken in the hotel; during the week we make visits to a beach, to Gavarnie which is in the Pyreneese and to Hosanna House, which is the head office of the Trust, about an hours drive away.  We have also visited a castle in Lourdes and towards the end of the week we all go with the other groups to the underground Basilica for a celebratory mass. 

There is also a souvenir shop which we go to on the last day.

Some people go to the pool to bathe and hope for a cure.

If the weather is good we go to the meadow to play football and have fun.  Each child has at least one helper known to them and some groups consist solely of helpers who will go to any group where needed,

Isaac.

The trips have helped build Isaacs confidence, given him the chance to see different places and he's met new people from around the world.  It also gives a well earned rest to those left at home!

That's why I've chosen to raise money for the HCPT so, as Isaac wished, other children get to do the pilgrimage - oh and it's for children from all walks of life whether they belong to any religious background, or none at all.

For more info on HCP click:  http://www.hcpt.org.uk/pilgrimages/easter.php 

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So please dig deep and donate now.

Rachel & Isaac