August 2008 is a month I will never forget. It was the month that we found out that our beautiful daughter was deaf and the month in which it seemed our lives would never be the same again.

In March of 2009, was fitted with a cochlear implant and since then her progress has been breathtaking. This has only been possible for two reasons: ’s determination,patience and desire to learn and the unique help and support we have received along the way from Auditory Verbal UK www.avuk.org 

Auditory Verbal UK is a national charity which teaches deaf children with hearing aids or cochlear implants to listen and speak. After three years of family-based Auditory verbal therapy, over 80% close the language gap and enter mainstream schools alongside their hearing friends. The charity works directly with 60 families and reaches out to many more through training programmes for professionals across the .

Three years ago, Chris (Alice's Daddy), Andy (Alice's Godfather) and James sat down and decided, as rowers of historical prowess, that to spend a week or so rowing the  would be an experience we would always cherish and look back on with fond memories in our old age. We are now doing it as a challenge and for a real purpose.

91 Miles, 30 locks, in three days, not seven. Upstream! That's 12 hours rowing a day. We must be mad!

Not every family currently has the ability to access the wonderful work and support that AVUK provide. We are aiming to raise £5,000 (or well North of) to help other families to see and experience the benefits has been lucky enough to enjoy.

This is not a row for , it is a row to help the countless children for whom AV might provide their best hope of integrating fully with their hearing peers in the hearing world.

you can find out more about Alice at www.alicesears.com and follow us on our journey at www.threemeninaboat.org

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.