Watch my video at: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuUMnirKEIw

In the summer of 2012 I went on a trip with the Rotary Club of Shanghai to the Western Chinese city of Lanzhou. The aim of the trip was to donate wheelchairs to people who had been affected by polio.

Polio is a viral infectious disease which children are most vulnerable to contracting. Most cases leave the individual crippled for life; however, in severe cases it can be fatal.

This first hand interaction with people who had polio really opened my eyes to how devastating this disease is. It was really brought home when one man told me that the wheelchair he received would enable him to simply get out of his apartment and 'feel the sunshine'. 

It is my ambition that in the future charities will not have to donate wheelchairs. Thanks to great work done by Rotary International, the Bill and Malinda Gates foundation and many other charities polio is very close to being eradicated from the world forever. We are very close to the finishing line but it is essential we make that final push!

The price of a cup of coffee, pint of beer or glass or glass of wine will pay for a vaccination for 3 kids from pockets of the world where polio is still a threat.

It is my aim to raise enough money to vaccinate 1000 children.

To reach my goal I have decided to run the Great Wall Marathon and encourage people to donate. This is a 42km race on China's most famous landmark, a structure specifically built to be inhospitable. With over 5000 steps to negotiate this is going to be a serious challenge but after a lot of training I'm up for it! 

Money matters:

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thanks to The Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper who kindly set up my page and have agreed to accept the money raised and send directly to End Polio Now charity (because this charity is not resisted with JustGiving)

Thanks for taking the time to read my page any donation however big or small will be much appreciated!