The project

From the 4th of July 2017, we will be walking across the whole of the Pyrenees mountain range, starting in Hendaye, Spain and hiking 600+ miles to Banyuls-sur-Mer, France. We will follow the Haute Route - the most difficult journey across the Pyrenees, which involves tackling over 50,000 metres of elevation in mountainous terrain at altitude, with variable weather from scorching hot to freezing cold and stormy. It'll take us around two and a half months, as we also hope to complete the ten classic summits in the Pyrenean mountain range during our walk. 

Throughout the trek, we will be camping in a tent, cooking our food, carrying 25+ kg each, and walking without a guide.

Why Kidney Research?

The reason we are undertaking this rather extreme challenge? When I was very young, my older brother Seb (then 9 years old) suffered kidney failure. He spent four months dialysis at 15, during which time I helped with his care and our family experienced the serious strain that living with a chronically ill member can cause. Seb, of course, was in a lot of pain, but never once complained. He was eventually given a kidney transplant at the age of 16.

Seb is now 29 years old, living with the restrictions that kidney disease can create - not that you would know it - he is a qualified electrical engineer, a fearless mountain biker and a key member of our amateur rock climbing posse! The work of the Exeter and Bristol renal units saved Seb's life, but the work of organisations like Kidney Research UK are essential in funding essential research into the treatments available to others in his situation.

Through our fundraising, we hope to 'give back' to the organisations that are working so hard to help people like Seb and their families, in the hope that others who experience the illness will have the best facilities, support and medical care at their disposal.

Funding

The trek itself is an entirely self-funded project - we have spent a lot of our own money on equipment to complete the trek, and do not intend to use any of the money we raise for the walk. 100% of the proceeds will go to Kidney Research UK.