Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I recently lost a great friend and top colleague, Mark Cadwaladr.  He died too young in his 38th year this June.  Mark ferverently supported the The Wellspring.  Based in Stockport, this is a resource centre for the homeless and disadvantaged.  Established in 1991, a group of Stockport-ians made a hot pot dinner for 35 homeless people as a random act of kindness.  Now, a bustling centre, it gives housing & benefits advice, supports people into accommodation, provides a drug/alcohol referral service and supports people through education. 

My friend Mark rated this charity, I rate him and hopefully you rate me enough to read on!

So, the John Muir Trail - yes it is a 'walk in the park' - or 3 of the USA's most remote national parks to be precise - Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia.  It's a 211mile wilderness challenge in bear and rattle snake country with 80,000 feet of ascents including the USA's highest mountain, Mount Whitney at 14,000 feet.  

I'll be walking unguided, the full length of the trek.  I'll be sleeping rough (well in a bin bag bivvy!) and carrying my own food and water for the most part.  Whilst I am hugely excited by this challenge as many of you know I love remote, far flung places with no people in them, this is going to be tough and surely worthy of some charitable donations to a great cause in memory of a greater person.  

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving and your dosh goes directly to the charity.  

So please dig deep and donate now.  When I return, hopefully not mauled by a bear or bitten by a rattle snake, I'll tell you all about it (after a shower of course).

Thanks

Pip x

PS:  Make sure you tick the Gift Aid box if you live in the UK!