Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On May 1st I will take the first steps on my challenge to walk the West Highland Way – a trail of 96 miles (well let’s round it up to 100!) It will be a challenge for me as I am a ‘fair weather, 5-6 mile lass’

But my friend and work colleague Dawn faces a bigger challenge in her daily life while recovering from brain surgery to remove a benign tumour growing on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. An acoustic neuroma, or vestibular Schwannoma. It may not be malignant, but ‘benign is not fine’. It took several years for her symptoms – one sided tinnitus, severe headaches, and problems with balance to get the correct diagnosis. They don’t always need removing, but Dawn’s was growing and heading for the brain.

It has been a life-changing condition for her. Now deaf in one ear, and with the balance nerve on that side severed, she is adjusting to her ‘new normal’. A very recent re-admission to drain spinal fluid building up in her head show that she still has daily challenges.

All I have to do is walk, one step in front of the other; and when the going gets tough I shall think of Dawn. I will not be alone as I am walking with three dear friends, who I know will get me through. And if I can raise £1 for every mile for the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA) then so much the better.