Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This year I reach my half century (!) so to mark this glorious milestone, I wanted to give something back to a place that has become my most treasured and favourite in the whole world. For 20 plus years I have walked, climbed and hiked the fells, as well as spending a lot of time on lake Ullswater, in the knowledge that these AMAZING people were always just a call away should something go horribly wrong. I do not believe they get the recognition they deserve - they do not just attend calls out on mountains - its to road traffic accidents, waterborne incidents, as well as at times the sad recovery of perished individuals in some of the most hazardous places, often facing danger themselves. On call for 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year and with no other funding apart from donations and fundraising, Patterdale Mountain Rescue team are a set of amazing people.

I have therefore signed up to canoe across Scotland following the Great Glen Trail - 100km (62 miles) from Fort William in the West, to Inverness in the East, over 5 days. No luxuries here, its all wild camping, campfires and even wild toileting! As some one who loves being on the water but is scared to death of being in it, there is a good chance I could end up in the drink, so this is a bit of "facing the fear" for me as well.

Any donation big or small would be gratefully accepted. I have paid the entire cost of the trip myself, so every penny raised goes to some fabulous people. Thankyou, heres to being 50!