Almost 20 years ago I was involved in a serious accident which very nearly cost me my life; I was accidentally electrocuted having come into contact with overhead power cables. I suffered burns to most of my upper body and was given a slim 15% chance of survival. Thankfully I did survive!

 

There was a moment when in hospital which has stayed with me ever since, looking back it was a pivotal moment in my healing and also served to shape the following years. I met a guy who had also survived a burn injury, years previous when he was a similar age to me. There was no 'deep and meaningful' just a simple chat about, as memory serves, not a great deal. But it did somehow flick a switch inside me. I think looking back that brief chat showed me that there could still be a life to live out there, a normal (whatever that is?) life. This was so important because one of the first things I experienced when looking at myself following my accident was the overriding, overwhelming and overbearing belief that life was now over. End of!

 

Fast forward a few years and volunteering for FAB Children's Club has become such an important part of my life. I know what I went through following my accident. I know that despite the lasting physical scars the emotional and psychological scars can run much deeper, and can take years, at best, to overcome. A burn injury lasts a lifetime. In knowing that I know first hand how valuable the work of FAB Club really is.

 

That’s why I'm heading off on an 18 day trek to Everest Base Camp this October. Flying into the world’s most dangerous airport, Lukla, (youtube it) then trekking for 120 km rising to roughy 5,500 meters (thats over 17,500 ft) to Everest base camp. I aim is to reach my target of £10,000!

 

It's doable and necessary. FAB Club is a totally self funded charity. Monies raised would go towards covering the costs of the camps and activities FAB Club run each year, such as the Summer Camp, Family Camp and other special days out, not on administration costs. It costs around £350 to send a child to a camp.

 

But it’s not just about raising my £10,000 target. The trek will be a hard thing for me to do, but more importantly I hope to inspire burn injured children and their families, proving that challenges can be overcome, nothing is impossible and life is for living. 

 

These activities naturally provide a safe environment where children, their parents and their siblings can meet with others and talk about their experiences, the treatment and coping strategies whilst increasing the children’s confidence and self esteem. It’s a great opportunity to develop informal support and lasting friendships are often formed.

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, reading the short novel I’ve written and especially thanks for your donation. It means a lot to me and every penny really does count!

 

Matt 

 

 

 

Here's the JustGiving info..

 

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

 

Thank you all so very much. x