I got involved in the Journey of a Lifetime Trust (JoLt) about 25 years ago and signed up to a fundraising event 20 years ago - but then couldn't go because I was pregnant. Now my children are old enough, I felt it was time to honour that commitment. So I want to raise £4,000 so that a young person can benefit from a journey of a lifetime.

In November 2013 I will be trekking up to eight hours a day through the remote Tonkinese Alps in Northern Vietnam. I'll be wading through rice paddies and following steep paths through the forests and mountains between remote villages. If I reach my goal I'll be able to look all the way across the mountains to Southern China. 

JoLt takes disabled or disadvantaged young people on amazing journeys at a critical time in their lives so that they can develop their confidence and belief in themselves. I hope you will help me to help them. Here's are two excerpts from letters to Dorothy (one of my fellow trekkers), who founded JoLt:

Dear Dorothy,

I never did get a chance to say a big thank you to you all. JoLt has changed my life. You were my family for a month, and I have never met such a caring group in my life.

People in school have all said how confident and assertive I have become. I have changed in a big way. I have matured and have a wider outlook on life, I am very optimistic. You have helped me in so many ways I feel I can be myself, and if I want something bad enough, I can make it happen.

Ever since JoLt I am willing to give anything a try. I have done more this past year than I have ever done in my life. I actually go out and do it instead of thinking about it, thank you again.

Dear Dorothy,

Before I came on this journey I always thought I was restricted to things I could and couldn’t do after I was diagnosed with Hyperlaxity Syndrome. I also found it hard to talk about my Dad dying but when I met someone else on JoLt who had been in the same situation as me I found it very easy.

I have never been in an aircraft never mind a helicopter. It brings tears to my eyes to know that you, and a lot of other people involved in JoLt, have made every dream I had come true. But you are the one that started JoLt off and I’m sure you’ve made a lot of people like me, very happy and a much better person. JoLt has marked me forever and you are a very special person to me. I can’t thank you enough Dorothy I just hope you carry JoLt on, to let other dreams come to reality.

There is more information on JoLT’s website - http://www.jolttrust.org.uk/difference_we_make.shtml

All the money raised goes to JoLt as I pay my own travel costs.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.