Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

The last 13 years have been a challenge with personal losses, so I am doing something that has kept me going all this time - CHALLENGING MYSELF!

In September 2012 my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given just a few months to live. In the same space of time my brother, Matt, had a motorbike accident and put himself in hospital with many broken bones in both legs.

By November 2012, my mum sadly passed away after saying goodbye to us both.

My first challenge was dealing with the situation, and I used it as an opportunity to go and see the world! Travelling to Australia and settling there for a number of years gave me a focus and an "escape from reality".

I have spent many years hiding from the depression and not talking about it to anyone.

In November 2024 my brother, Matt, who was a diabetic like me suddenly passed away unexpectedly due to an overnight hypo. Nobody was expecting the news and it shocked us all.

Being a diabetic myself gave me some comfort in knowing that it was unlikely he felt any suffering passing with a hypo in his sleep, but it was still something that I knew I had to face and deal with in a different way to the passing of my mum 12 years previously.

I have a family with 2 young children, Mila and Jamie, so there is no running away to the other side of the world to travel and escape.

Instead, I aim to talk about things (somehow?!) and not bottle it up inside.

But, I also like a challenge - especially a physical one!

That is why I will be completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge with a friend, Andy Coley-Maud, on Friday 25th July 2025. I have never done anything like this before, but when a challenge is set - a commitment is made.

If you are able to support in any way, I would really appreciate any donations you are able to make to either of the charities (Cancer Research UK & Diabetes UK) that I am raising money for. They are 2 worthy causes, close to my heart.

Thank you for reading - now to prepare for the challenge ahead!

https://www.threepeakschallenge.uk/yorkshire-three-peaks-challenge/

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