Photo is of Peruvian friends offering trekking advice. I'm the one wearing the hat!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my fundraising page. In order to go on the Peru Trek, I'm trying to raise £2850 for the Stroke Association.

The Wymondham Charity calendar and card has raised £746 for the Stroke Association (Peru Trek) and £746 for the Prostate Cancer Charity. Thanks very much for your support!  

The Wine Appreciation Evening (which was much appreciated!) with Peter Howkins raised £52 each for the Stroke Association and Alzheimers Society.

I'm taking part in a big challenge for the Stroke Association and will be trekking in the Lares region of Peru for 5 days at altitude (around 4400m), commencing 28th March 2009. This trek follows tracks in isolated areas but does take in the legendary lost city of Machu Picchu. Days 4 and 5 of the trek will be particularly arduous with up to 10 hours of walking, and it's quite hilly.

Stroke is the 3rd biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK. A stroke happens due to a clot or bleed in the brain, which causes brain cells to die. Strokes are on the increase and every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke - it can happen at any age and is often devastating.

Unacceptable inadequacies in stroke care and research exist. For every £50 spent on cancer research and £20 on heart disease research, only £1 is spent on stroke research. The money raised may help in a number of different ways, for example: helping the Stroke Association to run the stroke helpline, fund research projects, and help with speech and communication after a stroke.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Stroke Association gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please give generously!

Many thanks,

Jackie x(!)

PS With many thanks to those who have given offline so far including: Nathaniel Cropper, Grand Union Folk Club, Transforge Ltd (of Wymondham), Effie Steigers, Dennis Cronin, John and Gilly Robertson, Jean Mahon, Pat Warner, Ian Chapman, Justine Maloney, Christian and Tina Semmens and my Mum and Dad.

Many thanks to Flowers of the Thorn for a fab Ceilidh and everyone who helped or attended;  also to Allington Morris and Bobbie and Michael Anderson.

On 11th October New St George Morris dancers danced in Melton Mowbray for the Stroke Association and shoppers generously donated a total of £88.75.

Thanks to  David Bryant, Gill Bannister, John Tatam and Brian Rowland.

To Claire Barber, Claire Maskery, Bev Parker, Debbie McMahon, Caroline Hammond and Martin Ablitt.