In October 2023 I will taking on the adventure and challenge of a lifetime, trekking through Jungle and mountains in Peru, camping and hitting altitudes of up to 4650m. I will be away for 10days and 6 days of those will be spent hiking to reach one of the 7 wonders of the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu.

I have thought about this for a while now but never had the courage to take the risk. However, the pull kept getting stronger and I just knew i had to do it.

I am excited, yet nervous, but way more excited. I believe we should go after what we want and overcome any fears we have to experience life at its finest. (It's only taken me 34 years to figure this out.) Don't just survive but truly live! I don't want to get old and have regrets about the things I was too afraid to do and I want to show my children that anything is possible and to go after what you want, not to live in fear or self doubt. 

I made the decision to fundraise for this adventure, to be able to support a charity, whilst putting myself through something completely beyond what I've done before. (Not just the trekking but also having to nature pee, lack of bathing and not to mention the Altitude sickness). Everything raised will go directly to my charity and I would be hugely grateful for any donations.  I will be fundraising for an organisation based in Ipswich Hospital, the "Cancer wellbeing and information centre" which is a part of the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity. I would like to explain why I have chosen this charity.

I decided to fundraise for this charity for my Mam, Susan, after finding out she had breast cancer in late 2022. This news was such a worry to the whole family and something people don't ever want to hear. Fortunately her cancer was caught at an early stage and was operable and with a short course of radiotherapy and then continuing hormone suppression treatment, my mam was able to get the "cancer clear". During her frequent trips to Ipswich hospital we were able to see the amazing support The Cancer wellbeing and information Centre at Ipswich offers, providing a listening ear and bringing reassurance to cancer patients and their families. They offer counselling, financial support, wigs, information for dealing with hair loss, group support, complementary therapies, family support, preparation for cancer treatment, physical activity, nutritional guidance and so much more. The short time I spent in the centre the amount of people whom walked through the doors and how the team showed their support was such an eye opener into what they have to offer and how many people they impact. This service is absolutely incredible and I'm so happy to be able to support this with my fundraising.

Now, I'm pretty sure that many of you will unfortunately have your own cancer story to tell, either yourself or a loved one, or several loved ones. Cancer affects too many people.

Time is too precious and I'd like to live while I can, live without regret and support the Cancer wellbeing and information centre at Ipswich Hospital for all the incredible work they do, for all the support they give to all the cancer patients who's lives they have, they are and will touch, for all the empathy, care and time they put into creating a safe space for the local community. Now I chose this local charity over the usual larger charities because firstly, it's something that is in place for the local community, including my mam, it offers so much support and guidance and I am so grateful for that. Secondly, whatever I raise from challenge I will personally interact with this organisation to find out how they will use the funds and how much impact it will have on those who need it. I have also had the pleasure of meeting with some of amazing team already, they are all so accommodating and supportive and have created such a warming environment.

The cancer well being and information centre at Ipswich hospital is able to provide all it does thanks to donations and fundraising and I would love to be able to reach my target to be able to help them continue their amazing work.

I would be hugely grateful for any donations, no matter how small, I'd like to raise as much as I can to show appreciation & support.

I'd like to thank you all so much for reading my story and I cant wait to share my journey & adventure with you all.