Five years ago I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma which is a rare form of brain tumour that effects your balance and hearing. 

Because of the size of the tumour it had to be removed surgically and after the twelve hour operation I was left profoundly deaf in my right ear and suffered with very poor balance through my right side for a number of months.

Completing the fourteen mile traverse of the Cuillin ridge in the Isle of Skye is an extremely hard test of balance and fitness with four climbs graded as very difficult or severe. If successful the challenge will take two days and require me to sleep on the ridge over night to complete it.

I feel very fortunate to have regained enough balance to even be able to attempt to traverse the ridge and I'm sure much of my recovery is owed to the fantastic team at Salford Royal Skull based team and their fantastic care. 

Many of the patients that have had the same surgery as me have not been as lucky as I have with many suffering from pain, fatigue and poor balance after the tumour has successfully been removed. 

After my surgery I vowed to do as much as I could to raise awareness about Acoustic Neuroma, the surgery and young people living with deafness. 

Two years ago I raised over £8000 whilst summiting the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Talking to many respected mountaineer guides since that day the Cuillin Ridge in Scotland is as difficult and dangerous to complete as summiting the Matterhorn. 

So please sponsor me to take on this challenge to raise money for the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA). BANA work to raise awareness of this condition and support people living with the symptoms of the brain tumour or the side effects after having the surgery to remove it.