Hi, I’m Andy, I have spent much of my life being inspired by the outdoors and for the last 15 years I’ve managed and run an outdoor fitness and adventure company. I have been lucky enough to make a career out of something I love and am passionate about.

Alongside the outdoor fitness business, I ran adventure weekends which included wild camping and ascending some of the lesser-known peaks of North Wales and England – my aim was to create unique and unforgettable experiences in the wilderness of the mountain environment, giving others the opportunity to step out of their daily life and routine and back into nature. Each adventure was unique and would leave you with something truly memorable. Everyone returned feeling re-charged and invigorated with an increased confidence to go on outdoor adventures of their own.

Unfortunately, earlier on this year I was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma. As you can imagine this came as a complete and total shock to me and my family. As someone who has spent a lifetime being committed to their health and wellbeing and in subsequent years that of others it was inconceivable that I would be the victim of such a cruel and debilitating disease. That said, my type of cancer targets no specific type of person and is simply a case of ‘bad luck.’ Since my diagnosis in April, one of my greatest disappointments is that my ongoing symptoms have now prevented me from doing many of the things of which I love including being a fitness instructor and mountain leader.

That said, for the past three months with countless support, encouragement and messages from family, friends, some world class mountaineers and outdoor explorers, celebrities and even complete strangers I am beginning to come to terms with my ‘new normal’ so much so that with a big push from my sister Cathy I was introduced to a local charity called Teens Unite that work with teenagers and young adults that have been affected by cancer. I decided to raise some money for them by completing a Virtual Three Peaks Challenge climbing my own staircase the height of the three summits attached to a fixed line. I recently completed my challenge raising just over £17,500!

The challenge although physically and mentally demanding kept me active and energised. There were times that I felt extremely fatigued especially when undergoing treatment, however, I always found I could give a little bit more and pushed myself a little further each time. The challenge gave me a sense of purpose, something to focus on and stimulate my mind whilst knowing I was also going to make a difference to those affected by this horrible disease.

Now I have an even more determined mindset. I’m enjoying taking on new physical challenges that will continue to keep my fitness levels up, improve my mood, stimulate my mind, work on my coordination and balance whilst proving to others that if you really want to achieve something, if you’re willing to dig deep, push a little harder, believe in yourself, channel your ‘Inner Andy’ as Kenton Cool once said to me, accept help and support from those around you and be prepared to work with your disabilities and impairments – anything is possible!

My new challenge will take me virtually from Land’s End to John o’ Groats riding my bicycle attached to a turbo trainer, 1189 miles (1913km) and this time I will be raising money for Brain Tumour Research. Living with a brain tumour and the ongoing symptoms I endure on a day to day basis, some of which I feel have become worse over the past few months, seeing how my limitations have had a massive effect on mine and my families everyday life and the anxiety we feel because of a future unknown – supporting Brain Tumour Research gives me hope and incentive for any money that I can raise will be used into vital research to find a cure against brain tumours and the devastation it brings to those affected.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable!

I am fundraising for Brain Tumour Research as they are the only national charity dedicated to funding long-term, sustainable research in the UK. Please help me fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.