As many of you know I am a volunteer for ShelterBox, the international disaster relief charity. I volunteer in a number of ways including speaking at events, packing boxes in the warehouse, manning phones during disaster fundraising campaigns and – having now completed the selection and training courses – will be sent to disaster situations to help deploy the aid.

I thought it was about time I raised some money directly and have coupled this with something I have always wanted to do – The Three Peaks Challenge.

Along with some fellow ShelterBox Response Team members, I will be scaling each of the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland in under 24 hours. We will start with Snowdon around 1700hrs on Saturday 26^th July and, driving in between each peak, hope to make Scafell to start there at 0100hrs on 27^th July, and start Ben Nevis 1100hrs the same day. By 1700hrs we hope to be back down and heading for a pint to celebrate our success.

It will be taxing and it will be touch and go whether or not we make it (with sense of humour intact) but I intend to give it my all.

I’m hoping that you will put your hand into your pocket and pledge some money to help me on my way! No matter how small your donation it will all go to a fantastic charity which really is out there on the ground helping those in need.

And don’t forget, for those of you who are eligible, please take advantage of Gift Aid – it really does make a massive difference.

You can find out more about what ShelterBox do here - http://www.shelterbox.org/