Ok, im not climbing Mount Everest here. Im not even doing the three peaks or running a marathon. No, something far far harder. Its going to push me and everything I believe in to the edge. Im going Vegan.( for January) And as a guy that owns a meat orientated catering business called The Hog and Apple, the Strange glances have begun in corridors of H&A hq. Our head chef is refusing to talk to me. Suppliers are contacting me to see if they should be worried. But fear not. This is all for a good cause and if I can do something to help, then a January diet change is a small sacrifice to pay.

Clara has a serious neuromuscular Mitochondrial Disease.

Clara was a healthy, happy child until the age of 4. Her parents noticed that basic skills such as walking and eating were deteriorating. She was eventually diagnosed with a Mitochondrial Disease which has caused her to suffer with numerous symptoms including muscle contractions that are spontaneous and painful. Clara is now 9 and although her parents, school and family try to ensure that she has the best possible quality of life, she is now confined to a wheelchair, is unable to communicate through speech and has to be tube fed.

She is also unable to digest meat, which has resulted in the family having to adapt a vegan diet. This has been the reason for me doing the same.

I hope you can all support me to help raise some funds to help support Clara. As her condition develops, so do her complex needs and the requirement for more specialist care and equipment which can be very expensive. St. Aelreds primary school has been unbelievable in their care and support of Clara throughout her primary years. They have seen first hand Claras condition progress. So we will aso be donating an amount to the school in recognition of all the hard work and effort they have made over the years.

Thanks for your support

Ged