Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am planning to complete the Yorkshire 3 Peaks and National 3 Peaks Challenges to raise money for Diabetes UK.  Heres why:

In 2016 I lost my dad after his long battle with a number of illnesses.  Throughout the last 20 years of his life; he had suffered from type 2 diabetes latterly becoming insulin dependant.  Diabetes can lead to other complications including kidney failure, heart disease and nerve damage all of which he suffered from at the time of his death.

Over 3 million people in the UK suffer from diabetes and whilst most cases can be treated, there is no known cure. Diabetes UK are the leading charitable funder of diabetes research and improve lives through pioneering research into all forms of diabetes and diabetes related complications.  In addition to the research, Diabetes UK offers a wide range of products and services to help people manage their diabetes.

And for the record, I hate hill walking. I live in Essex, a gloriously flat county. I have no desire to conquer things which will outlive me by 1000's of years, I know my limits. I like tequila and sunshine, sea and skiing- where there are lifts. Not hills which need walking up. I'm doing this stuff in memory of him and to help others suffering with this horrible yet preventable illness.

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge covers approx 23.5 miles ascending and descending the 3 highest mountains in Yorkshire (Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough) within 12 hours.  Some say it is harder than the UK challenge as there are no travel breaks between each hill!

The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland, within 24 hours.  Starting at Ben Nevis in Scotland we will set off at 5pm on 22nd June before tackling Scafell Pike in England and finishing the challenge at Mount Snowdon in Wales sometime before 5pm on 23rd June.  

I'll be undertaking the challenges with my brother Ben Sheppard and his friend Charles Trafford both of whom will be raising money for their respective causes so please check out their JustGiving pages as well. Team TraSh will get to the end, with Traf's squeaky boot, Ben's dodgy knee and my sheer bl00d y mindedness. It won't be pretty, but it will be tough and Team TraSh will show the REAL hikers how it's really done.

Please donate. I probably know where you live.