I decided this year I wanted to give myself a personal challenge - I walk most places (a necessity when you can't drive!) so why not make a challenge out of it?

So for National Walking Month (May) I will be walking the Trafalgar Way. Running from Falmouth in Cornwall to the Admiralty in central London, it is the 271 mile stretch that Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere travelled (by coach) to bring news of the Battle of Trafalgar back. I have to be honest - it was the shortest walk I thought I could reasonably do! I will be doing the walk virtually, so the idea is that I will walk the same amount of miles Lieutenant Lapenotiere walked, but I'll be doing it up here in the North West.

Once my brain got to turning, I went a step further and considered whether I could make my challenge something that would benefit others.

That's where the Together Trust comes in.

Based in Cheadle, the work the Together Trust has done for children, young people, adults and families with autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, complex health needs and emotional and behavioural difficulties since 1870 is phenomenal. 

My brother, Aaron, was diagnosed with autism when he was very young, and I have watched him mature into an amazing young man. He doesn't let his autism hold him back, but the steps he takes are in no small part thanks to the support he has received first from his family, and then from the carers who help him to lead an independent life. 

It is so important that charities like the Together Trust are supported, so that they in turn can support others.

If you can see your way to kindly giving a donation, however small, everything raised will be donated to the Together Trust at the end of National Walking Month (31st May). Hopefully by then I will have walked the same number of miles as the lieutenant did!