THE CHALLENGE

On Saturday 6th July I'll be walking 15-18 miles undertaking the Saddleworth 3 Peaks Challenge, climbing Pots and Pans, Indian's Head and Wharmton Hill.

This a major fundraising day for Mahdlo who this year are raising money to help thousands of young people experience the great outdoors, which has an impact on their self-confidence, well-being and resilience.

I have been given special dispensation to split all monies that I raise between Mahdlo and the fund to assist my work colleague Mark Douglas and the efforts to enable Mark to move back home almost 2 years after a serious accident.

ABOUT MARK DOUGLAS

Just prior to Christmas 2017, Mark was involved in a terrible accident which resulted in severe head and spinal injuries. The injuries included severe bleeding to the brain and a dislocated vertebrae. Mark spent four months in the Critical Care Unit of Salford Royal Hospital, thereafter moving to the Spinal Injuries Unit in Southport for another six months. Mark has now been in the Springfield Care Home in Rochdale for a further year whilst waiting for the necessary adaptations to his family home in Failsworth to be undertaken to finally enable him to move back home.

The work has commenced but there is still a lot to do and it it will soon reach the point at which Mark has been forced to live away from his wife and children in the family home for OVER 2 YEARS.

Unfortunately, there is no government funding available to make these adaptations and the onus has therefore fallen to the family to adapt their home to enable the move back. Without these adaptions, Mark will not be able to return home.

There have already been some charitable contributions raised to recognise the fantastic hospital care Mark has had. Support is now concentrating on providing the adaptations / extensions to the family home and provision of specialist equipment (e.g. a personal track-hoist) without which the authorities will not permit Mark's move back home.

Mark's family have been fantastic throughout. If you know Mark, you'll know he is one of the nicest guys you're ever likely to meet. If you know his family, you'll know they are incredible and have been so strong and supportive throughout this massively challenging time.

Christmas may seem a long way off - but how great it would be to ensure that the family are re-united by December this year.

Anything which you're able to do will directly support being able to bring home a great guy who just wants to be back with his family.

Thanks for any support that you care to give.