This year, Chloe and I will be taking part in a series of challenges leading up to completing the National Three Peaks Challenge in September 

We'll be completing the Edale Skyline challenge in April and the Yorkshire Three Peaks in June, before tackling each of our Nation's highest peaks in 24 hours. The National 3 peaks involves over 23 miles of hiking, 10,000ft of climbing, and 462 miles of travelling - all in less than 24 hours.

In total, we will be hiking 67.5miles and climbing 19,000ft (the height of Kilimanjaro!), and that doesn't include the training we need to do. 

"Why?" I hear you ask. We aren't avid, committed fundraisers and whilst Chloe did something incredible last year by raising £1,000 to help people in Ukraine, this year we are teaming up to help seriously ill children in hospital.  

We also aren't avid hikers - a gentle 3 mile potter around the local park with the dog is hardly training to climb Ben Nevis in the dark - but we are definitely up for the challenge!

Starlight help seriously ill children in hospital play, laugh and do the things they love. Through Boost Boxes, Distraction Boxes, Events and Experiences and more, Starlight help children forget their worries and feel the joy of childhood. 

Hospitals can be isolating places, and even more so in the wake of COVID and reduced funding in the NHS. Children have little opportunity to distract, learn, and communicate through play when in hospital, and the support that Starlight provides helps children to be more comfortable with their treatment and have a much more positive experience of hospital.

Today, the support Starlight has never been needed more; from Isolation Packs to safely provide items to distract and delight children in hospital, to hosting virtual parties to entertain and keep children connected with others. Children need to play. It is about much more than having fun. It is how kids learn, communicate and figure out who they are. 

• £5 Could provide a child spending time in hospital with a toy 
• £10 Could deliver storytelling to a child in hospital 
• £20 Could send a seriously ill child on a Starlight Escape 

Your donations mean Starlight can support frontline health staff to help seriously ill children feel less alone