I’ve always loved a challenge, but in June I will be facing my biggest challenge to date: climbing Italy’s highest mountain, Gran Paradiso. The summit at 4061m is no mean feat and I’ll be using ropes, crampons and ice picks to ascend over glaciers and rocks to reach the peak!

This amazing challenge and cause was introduced to me by Ed Jackson, a former England Rugby player who was left paralised in a freak accident. Ed has had an inspirational recovery, climbing Snowdon just a year after being told he’d never walk again! Since visiting Nepal and the Neverest Orthopedic Foundation, he’s set himself the challenge of climbing Mt Peak (6476m) and raising £250,000 to build a spinal injury unit in Nepal. I will be climbing Gran Paradiso with Ed and several others to both fundraise and aid Ed’s training for the big climb.

Despite having absolutely no mountaineering experience, I will be stepping far, far out of my comfort zone and setting foot on Gran Paradiso in early June. I would be hugely thankful for any donations you could spare to help me reach my target of £2,000 for the amazing cause and support me, and Ed on the journey.

For more information please see: M2M group (https://www.m2mgroup.com/), CHX (https://www.chamonixhardcross.com/about/about-chx/), Restart Rugby (http://restartrugby.org.uk/), UPBEAT Drinks (www.upbeatdrinks.com)

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