For the last two years I have done a sponsored 10km walk with friends at Hatfield House to raise money for Target Ovarian Cancer. This year Sandy, Caroline and I decided we couldn't again ask for sponsorship money doing the same thing which, after all, was just a pleasant stroll around lovely grounds! So this year we are doing the Target Ovarian Cancer Hadrian's Wall Trek on 30-31 May, which will involve a 25 mile walk and two nights camping. It doesn't sound difficult but the Northumberland hills will certainly make it more of a challenge. However, it's not the walk I'm concerned about but the camping! Having just bought my sleeping bag & mat and trying them out in my living room, those two minutes on the floor convinced me that aching limbs and back won't find any comfort and there won't be much sleep!

The last couple of years I have only asked a very small group of people for sponsorship and both years they have been incredibly generous (£1710). This year I am casting the net further to hopefully raise even more money, so I am asking you to sponsor me for two very serious and important reasons and two light hearted but still important (to me) reasons:

·       I am walking in memory of Alison Sweetland (a long time and good friend of my Mum), Denise Richardson (Sandy's beloved wife and our dear friend), Margaret Stocker (Caroline's much loved Aunt who I also grew up knowing) - all very special and lovely ladies.

·       Target Ovarian Cancer raises much needed money: To improve early diagnosis with women and GPs; for research into new treatments; to give support to women with ovarian cancer.

·       My 52 year old body will have to do two nights of camping for the first time since I did it for one night as a young Brownie!

·       For football fans amongst you I am hoping for your sympathy not just for the camping but for the fact that I will miss seeing Arsenal in the Cup Final (although my blood pressure will be the better for it - the semi final was agonising enough!) and the hoped for victory parade the next day (everything crossed) in my neighbourhood.

Heartfelt thanks in advance for your hugely appreciated donations.

Sue