Over the last 10 years, my family has heard every saying related to managing expectations. Most of these revolve around STEPS.

One step at a time, small steps, two steps forward-one step back, can't run before you can walk etc.

On the eve of our son (Felix) being born - STEPS was a part of our everyday vocabulary.

At a time in London when we spent months / years on waiting lists, passed from health department to department or schools advising "we will take him if we have to". St Paul's Voluntary Aided School and B.I.R.D stepped in.

The Centre for Brain Injury Rehabilitation & Development (B.I.R.D) is a small charity based  just outside Chester. They are dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages with learning difficulties and brain injuries regardless of the severity of condition or age.

This morning, after 2 years we reached a significant milestone in Felix's development, and we would not have been able to achieve this without the support of St Paul’s and B.I.R.D.

The hardest part in doing this Everest Challenge was writing this note to you all, at the 11th hour before I depart to try and raise funds for both St Paul's and B.I.R.D.

It is my belief that whatever is raised can remove one day of worry or give one day of hope to another parent we will have all succeeded, and that each child has a better chance at being accepted and integrated into the world around us.

Our family has experienced life-changing support from St Paul’s and B.I.R.D so this trip and raising funds is my way of trying to give a little something back to two small organisations that can change lives and needs help.

The best step saying comes from Martin Luther King Jr.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase "

By the time I reach base camp I will have achieved my million STEPS.

Dig deep and thank you.