It was at the turn of the millennium alongside then Mayor of Wakefield Norman Hazell when I took on my first challenge in aid of Wakefield Hospice - joining him on a 70ft abseil down the training tower at Wakefield Fire Station.

It was after completing this first challenge that I kind of ‘got the bug’ for challenges – a great experience matched with a great opportunity to raise funds for the most important of causes.

Over the years to follow, I've been fortunate enough to take on a variety of incredible challenges, accompanied by a loyal group of friends and family, all to raise funds in aid of local hospice care here in Wakefield.

Challenges have included running the New York Marathon, Tandem Skydiving, trekking to the Base Camp of Everest, cycling through Death Valley in the Nevada Desert, walking through the Sahara Desert, cycling across Rajasthan in India and even completing a Survival themed weekend.

I know there are so many people who would love to do these challenges, many of whom may be receiving hospice care, and it is those people who truly motivate me to get out and do it for them.

I remember when the incredible nurses who founded Wakefield Hospice retired, and they said to me “keep going Helen, do it for us” – these words stick with me through the smallest and greatest of challenges – from the horrendous blisters endured trekking the Sahara and the physical and emotional challenges faced when heading to Everest Base Camp through to the everyday challenges we face at work today.

ONE LAST MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB...

Last year I got in touch with family and friends one more time, and together we set the date for our final team challenge - taking place over two days starting on Friday 3rd May with a ride on Velocity, the world’s fastest Zip Wire over 1.5 kilometres. As I have a fear of heights this will be a huge obstacle for me to overcome, especially laying on my front and looking down!

On Saturday 4th May we will climb Mount Snowdon, walking the Llanberis Path which is anticipated to take approximately seven hours. Fingers crossed the knees hold up! All costs of the challenge will be funded personally by the participants.

I’ve been around the globe in aid of Wakefield Hospice and been to the rooftop of the world, but for our final challenge it just felt right that we should be looking closer to home, and compared to India I guess Wales is basically next door.

I’ll be joined by my husband Phil, my two children Hannah and Michael, and once again by my incredible friends who have been such a huge part of these challenges in the past, on what will no doubt be a challenging weekend, both from a physical and probably even more so from an emotional point of view.

For over 35 years Wakefield Hospice has been my life, my children and my grandchildren have never known any difference, my dad passed away here… I cannot put into words what this place means to me.

I’ve spent my entire time here asking people to support Wakefield Hospice, and these challenges are the perfect opportunity for me to step up and show my support to this incredible organisation.

We see patients climbing their own figurative mountains each and every day, and it is raising funds to care for local patients and families which will motivate all of us to climb our own mountain this May.

I know times are challenging, but any donations you are able to give will make a huge difference to local hospice care here in Wakefield. Thank You.