Just to update everyone – It was an incredibly tough few days, with just over half of us making it to the summit. I'm pleased to say I was one of them. 

Most of you know why I do this now, but our son, Sonny was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. After nearly two years in and out of hospital, countless treatments and relapses, Sonny lost his very brave battle in May 2011.

During his treatment, Sonny was often at home, but the harsh chemotherapy and eventual bone marrow transplant meant he was always in danger of contracting an illness that could easily have been life threatening. Despite our best efforts to give him a normal life, finding new, exciting and safe things for a ten-year-old boy to do every day was tough. Which is why the Play Barn Project is such a great idea.

The concept is very simple: build a safe, secure and sterile environment where children with different types of cancer can play, learn and simply be around kids their own age. To have this when Sonny was ill would have been a huge bonus.

So this year I'm helping to raise funds by ascending two peaks in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Warming up with Ras Ouanikrim at just over 4000m and then setting off pre-dawn to conquer the highest mountain in North Africa, Mount Toubkal at 4,167m. The route isn't technical but tough and with the heat thrown in, should be a real challenge. Gary and the team at Play Barn have worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed and along the way have funded a new play room on safari ward at GOSH. So with your help (and my blisters) we should get that bit closer.

I think it goes without saying that Sonny would have loved the Play Barn Project and been proud of his dad for this year's big fundraising push. With that in mind, please give whatever you can.

Thank you.