Clear Sky transformed our lives. We first encountered the charity at a difficult time: Sam’s parents had separated, Sam was starting school, and once there his teachers quickly recognised that he had lost his sparkle.

As a result, Sam received play therapy from Clear Sky. It helped him build his confidence and regain his sparkle, and in the ensuing years he has gone on to positively shine. Sam is now a very keen, confident cub scout, and always looking out for others.

We both want to give something back to Clear Sky to say thanks for all the charity did for us, and to help other children who are enduring difficult circumstances. We are both celebrating significant birthdays this year (Sam was 10 at Easter, and I turned 50 a few months earlier), and we are each taking on a specific challenge.

I have always had a fear of heights, but am challenging this by doing the fastest zip wire in the world across the Penrhyn Quarry, reaching speeds of around 100 mph. Given that my legs turn to jelly if I'm more than 25 foot from the ground, it's no small feat, I can assure you! This is something that fills me both with excitement and fear, but knowing I’m raising money for Clear Sky will definitely help me face it.

Sam has done much better at getting over his fear of heights (guess where he got his from!) by completing several high ropes courses.  Sam's big challenge is based on endurance - last year he managed to walk with me 3/4 of the way up Mount Snowdon. Unfortunately we had to turn back due to fog appearing over the ridge, which left him sad as we were going home the following day. This year, he wants to finish the job he started!

We want these challenges to make a difference, not just to our lives, but to others too – and we’d both be grateful if you considered sponsoring us.