On the 31st May 2021 I am walking the 3 Yorkshire Peaks to raise money for Make a Wish UK and Ward 9 at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle. I am taking on this challenge with three of my friends George, Joanna and Orlane.

I have chosen to support these two causes as they have done so much for me personally. When I was five I had a virus that damaged the lining of my large intestine and ever since then I had really bad stomach problems. In 2015 I was referred to the GNCH in Newcastle where I had 20 operations (3 of which were long open surgeries) and I spent over 150 days (over the course of several years) on Ward 9 till finally on Halloween 2018 I was finally discharged and fortunately haven’t needed to go back. Over the course of my time on Ward 9 the staff were so lovely, nothing was ever too much trouble, they really cared not just about their medical job but also about all the patients there. They even stopped to come and play Mario Kart with me once or twice and on my 16th birthday decorated my room and although I couldn’t eat it, my family and staff had a cake to celebrate! Now 2 and half years later I have more or less recovered to the best I can hope for and feel I am up to conquering such a physical challenge as the 3 Peaks.

Also, during the time when I was constantly in and out of hospital, I was lucky enough to have a Make a Wish where I got to meet Dan and Phil and teach them how to fly a simulator. This was particularly incredible as it combined both my passion for aviation and meeting my favourite YouTubers. Although that experience was only a few days out of normal life, the impact has lasted forever, just a short glimpse of something so positive and enjoyable can make the world of difference when you are back in the day to day slog of fighting your illness. One of the best things about it, is the child’s imagination, for example if a child wishes to go to the moon they will try their best to give the child that experience, the only limit is the child’s imagination and giving them a day they will cherish forever.

The day we have picked to complete the challenge is sort of symbolic in the sense that the 31st May represents 5 years to the day since my first major operation in Newcastle which was the 31st May 2016 and the last time I was able to be in school, play the sports I love and see my friends.

I am so fortunate to be in a position now to attempt this challenge as sadly many people who have a Make a Wish experience or spend several years in hospital will never be able to do so. However, as a previous Wish Child, and someone who has managed to get through a childhood full of illness, I am trying to raise money and awareness for these two great causes, in the hope that one day others will have the same life changing experience and perhaps be able to do something like this themselves.

Please share this and donate if you can!