We are a group of nurses and physiotherapists that work in a Specialist Ventilation Service in Liverpool. We work with people every day that have life changing conditions that affect their breathing and ability to do everyday activities that most of us take for granted.

One of our service users, Adam, has a condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. This is due to the body being unable to produce a protein called dystrophin that helps keep the muscle cells intact which, results in the muscles no longer working. This condition effects every aspect of life meaning he has to rely on someone else to do everything for him, from washing and dressing, getting him into his wheelchair to feeding him food and drinks, if he didn’t have people to rely on then unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to even live his life, he is 100% dependant on others.

Adam’s condition is life limiting which is very hard knowing, but this doesn’t stop him from wanting to live his life to the fullest possible. His moto in life is ‘I’m not living my life to survive; I'm living my life to live. It is not about the quantity of years I have it's about the quality of how I chose to live.’ This being said due to his condition Adam doesn’t have a lot of the independence that we take for granted, this has a massive impact on his mental health and sometimes makes him feel like a burden.

However, there is an assistive device called Jaco robotic arm that would have an extraordinary impact on Adam’s life and change his lack of independence meaning he could do tasks such as making his own drink and being able to lift and hold it to his mouth, being able to feed himself or even to brush his own teeth. This assistive device costs £50,000.

As a team we are planning a huge challenge to help fundraise. Nurses and Physiotherapists from the Liverpool Ventilation Service at Aintree Hospital, LUHFT, are planning to climb the 3 peaks. The 3 peaks challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales, Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike and Mount Snowdon. This is 23 miles and a combined ascent of 3064m and driving 462 miles all in around 24 hours. We will be joined by more of our team for the final peak which is a huge challenge in itself!

This would mean the world to Adam and is such a life changing piece of equipment for him. Please give generously.