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Madly, I am canoeing the 60 miles from Fort William to Inverness, wild camping along the way!  Why?

In 2006 I had the privilege to take part in an Odyssey Course; sadly, it was because I had spent the best part of that year trying to deal with a cancer diagnosis, operation, chemo and radiotherapy, and the prospect of five years on pills that could, and did, have all manner of side effects.  With the stuffing well and truly knocked out of me, both mentally and physically, Odyssey came along like a great big cuddle that picked me up, gave me back my life and sent me soaring to heights that I never imagined. 

The Odyssey 'secret' has been maintained since 1994 - You're not told where you are going or what you will be doing, or who with, and when you've done it, you only tell your nearest and dearest.  By using the outdoors and arts, Odyssey helps you to regain confidence (in my case, much more than that), learn how to enjoy the moment and the importance of 'me time'.

Shortly after my course, I was made redundant; another huge blow but I turned it around, completed a degree in English Language and Literature with the Open University (something I would never have had the confidence to do before), and had the wonderful opportunity of volunteering on most of the Odyssey courses from then until 2010 when I began working with Odyssey as their cook - honestly the best job I have ever been lucky enough to do. 

Although I am now in a full time office job, I am still involved with Odyssey and those weeks with Odyssey, the tears, the laughter, the stories, the achievements, the support and the lifetime friendships will remain with me forever.  16 years on I know I'm one of the lucky ones to still be here but, occasionally, when life gets a bit tough, I draw on what I learnt from Odyssey and well, I just sit and smell the roses.

While cooking for Odyssey, I had some incredible volunteers to help me who I met on courses.  Tim, a very kind and funny man, and the lovely Jan who, unbeknown to her, inspired me to sign up to this trip two years ago at a fundraising event she had organised.  Sadly, neither are with us any longer so Tim and Jan, this one's for you. 

I know times are strange at the moment with the cost of living going up etc, but Odyssey is a small charity which runs courses mainly in Kent and in Wales, where every penny goes into helping people with cancer.  I can't imagine what it would have been like dealing with cancer throughout Covid, so this wonderful charity is more important than ever right now; please, please give what you can.  If, through this, I can fund one place, I know just how life changing that will be for someone else.  Thank you. 

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