Two of my closest friends have a gorgeous daughter, Katherine.   Katherine (13) suffers from Cockayne Syndrome, a degenerative disease which affects her growth, eyesight and hearing.  Katherine visits Julia's House where she has a fantastic time with super care ... and her family can snatch moments of much needed recovery time from the challenges of looking after her.  

Charles (with his son Michael), friend Simon and I are trekking the Alps for four days this summer to raise money for Julia's House.  100% of money raised goes to Julia's House - you are not subsidising me!  

So I am asking you please to be generous for some exceptionally good reasons:

1. I am breaking one of my founding principles: that we evolved to go up Alps in chairs and down them on planks
   
2. We will be staying in refuges, apparently with supply of alcohol uncertain.  Carrying a case of wine as back-up is going to be very heavy!
3. It's going to be beautiful but it is going to hurt, and that's got to be worth something!
4. Ignore reasons 1-3 and please help support the superb work of Julia's House to give support for children and their parents with unimaginably difficult journeys to travel, including the wonderful Katherine.

Oh yes, and I will be matching the first £1,000.

Thank you!!