For the past 6 year my twin sister and I have taken part in the Light The Lakes event. This year I have booked a holiday of a life time, walking the Himalayas and spending a night at base camp Everest. As an epic bucket list trip, and one that will be extremely challenging due to my age and the 5,200 meter altitude, I want to try to raise an epic amount of money for COPS. I have funded this holiday myself and so all money raised will go to the charity.

My intention is that on the night I spend at Everest base camp I will light the Himalayas in recognition of the outstanding contribution Light The Lakes make to the COPS charity.

Being a retired Police Officer, Light The Lakes and COPS are close to my heart.

Light the Lakes has become an established event in the climber's diary where Police Officers, colleagues and friends climb the 214 Wainwright peaks in the Lake District.

COPS provides peer support, counselling, mental well-being and respite services to help surviving family members of police officers and staff who have died on duty rebuild their lives. They work with hundreds of families from across the UK – all of their services are provided free of charge and for as along as they are needed.

The vision has always been to cover all 214 Wainwright fells with the light of flares in honour of our fallen officers. Knowing that each flare is in honour of those who have lost their life is an incredibly special and moving experience.