Life is good, isn't it? Whatever difficulties we may face, we really are the lucky ones.

We benefit from living in an environment where the resources available give us the chance to flourish. We benefit from a strong educational system, from a high quality health service and we enjoy the personal freedoms and security that many in this world can only dream of. The only real determining factor in leading fulfilling lives is our own individual effort and whether we will decide to grab those opportunities that are available to us, or not.

For those living in developing countries, it is not so simple. For most, the opportunities and resources in their lives are pitifully lacking. Their options to lead a fulfilling life are thwarted by a simple lack basic resources and knowledge. People lead a daily struggle to survive, with little hope to improve their lives. They constantly have to show incredible grit and determination to achieve what we often take for granted.

That level of grit and determination they exhibit in facing their seemingly insurmountable challenges deserves our respect, our attention, and our understanding. Unfortunately, in our relatively comfortable world it is very often hard to relate. Consequently, I want to develop a level of mental and physical grit and determination that many in the developing world have in abundance. This year, I have set myself various challenges in the hopes of achieving those goals.

I am delighted to have secured a volunteering placement with the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) organization with an assignment to Bangladesh. VSO believes that individuals can make a real difference in combating poverty in developing communities. Aid funding can go so far, but individual effort can significantly amplify the effect of charitable donations. I am blessed to be one of those individuals tasked with the amelioration of conditions in a very impoverished developing country.

Before my placement begins, I will be fundraising £2,000 (at the very minimum) through challenging myself to at least one physically and mentally demanding task per month. Throwing myself into conditions that will test my grit and determination: hypothermia, quagmires, bleak landscapes, carrying heavy loads, for mile after mile on end, I hope to find that inner grit and determination that will help me relate to the daily struggles of others.

These are the events I have planned:


January: Climb Mt. Snowdon (COMPLETED)

                Tough Guy 30th Anniversary Obstacle Run (COMPLETED)

February: Midlands 30:30 Military Challenge (30 miles

carrying 30 lbs)(COMPLETED)

March: The Nuts Winter Challenge Obstacle Run (COMPLETED)

April: Spartan Race Sprint Obstacle Run (COMPLETED)

          The Mr. Mouse Mudathon Obstacle Run (COMPLETED)

May: Chatsworth 10K (COMPLETED)

Tough Mudder - Midlands Obstacle Race (COMPLETED)

          Leave for Bangladesh.

August: Return from Bangladesh

September: PARAS'10 TAB Endurance Race (35lbs bergen with military trousers and boots over 10 miles) (COMPLETED)

                     Autumn Shakespeare Half-Marathon 2017 (COMPLETED)




Total Planned Distance (so far...): 96.7 miles. 




I also plan on setting up further fundraising events, but details of those will be sent out at a later date. 

I hope you will consider sponsoring me. You would be doing so much more than supporting my volunteering efforts. You would be playing a key role in helping VSO contribute in their fight against poverty. Together, we may just help a few lives reach their full potential. 

From me and from them, thank you.

Will.