I am so grateful for you being here, on this page, thinking about donating to this wonderful cause! So, I suppose I should start with explaining a little bit about what I'll be doing.

I am taking part in an organised Charity Challenge. A 58km Lava Trek in Iceland, in August this year. I will be trekking over challenging terrain, in every weather condition (sun, rain, snow and lots of ice!) for 3 days. You can read the full itinerary here if you would like to: https://www.charitychallenge.com/challenge/15/Icelandic-Lava-Trek . I have never completed anything like this before and the prospect terrifies me!

But why? Now, I'm not looking to raise money for my own cause, and it isn't even my story, but it is one so close to mine and my families hearts. Back in 2015 my cousin Lauren and her partner Graham discovered they were pregnant and they announced that they were expecting twins. At just over 16 weeks, they were told they had TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome) and the following day, Lauren underwent laser ablation surgery. Unfortunately, this surgery failed and the twin girls were given a 5% chance of survival. Lauren gave birth at just 25 weeks gestation. Ava and Elouise were born on the 2nd January 2016, Ava weighing 1lb 10oz and Elouise just 12oz. Baby Elouise died 18 hours later in the arms of her Mummy. Fast forward to now, and our little Ava has just celebrated her 1st birthday. She is cheeky, charming and utterly gorgeous (as you can see for yourselves!) She has grade 3 brain damage and possibly cerebral palsy. Her consultants call her a 'rare miracle'.

I am raising money for Tamba (Twins & Multiple Births Association) to help with the widest multiple pregnancy research programme anywhere in the world, which should save lives and reduce prematurity. This is for every family with their very own miracle preemie, for our angel Elouise and for you, Princess Ava x