On Tuesday 5th July 2022 I will be setting out on my biggest physical challenge to date. I will be taking on the Three Peaks Cycle Challenge - climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, and cycling in between. All in three days. It will mean a total of nearly 450 miles (including almost 4000m ascent) of cycling, and over 27 miles (and over 3000m of climbing) of trekking/running. That 150 miles (1300m uphill) of cycling and 9 miles (over 1000m up AND downhill) each day!

Why am I doing this? Not JUST because I’m crazy!

I will be raising money for 2 charitable organisations. One is important to me from a personal perspective and without them my dad and I may not have made it off Ben Nevis back in 2001, and the other important to me professionally for the work they do provide access to outdoor sports and activities for people who would otherwise often not consider doing them.

On 4th January 2001, when i was 13, my dad and I were climbing in Scotland when, after a long day on Ben Nevis we were caught in a whiteout and mistakenly entered 5-finger gully. I slipped whilst climbing down, knocking into my dad who was in front of me and causing us to bounce, roll and slide 600ft down the gully, breaking his leg in the process. After 9 hours on the side of the mountain we saw the torches of the VOLUNTEER rescue team in the valley below us who made it up to us and, after safely getting us put of the gully, airlifted us to hospital. Without this team of volunteers who worked well into the night, putting themselves at risk, there i a good chance we would not have made it off Ben Nevis that night. So the first charity for who, I am fundraising for is the LOCHABER MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM.

In 2012 when starting my career in Neurological Physiotherapy, I was fortunate to meet and work with former paralympic skier Jane Sowerby. I learnt of the charity she worked with and that they provided access to outdoor and adventure sports for people with spinal cord injuries. Since then the organisation has grown and grown and they have regular adapted waterskiing, skiing, kitesurfing and paddling sessions for people with disabilities. The second charity I am fundraising for is ACCESS ADVENTURES.

I am hoping to raise AT LEAST £500.00 for each charity and once the challenge is completed I will split the pot equally for each party. To ensure the charities receive all monies donated I will be covering any processing fees applied by the platform.

Thank you for reading and please donate if you can.