In 2022 I will be undertaking an arduous expedition challenge in the East of Ireland, travelling 210km self-supported, and hoping to complete something that has never been done before, in support of three charities / organisations close to my heart:

- Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team
- Aughrim Street (9/10 Dublin) Scout Group
- PAPYRUS UK

Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (DWMRT) is a volunteer rescue service, available 24 hours per day, every day, to respond to emergencies in upland areas of Dublin, Wicklow, and Louth. DWMRT's mission is to provide a professional-standard, voluntary emergency rescue service. The team comprises 60 highly-trained, motivated, volunteer mountain rescuers, coming from all walks of life, and united by a common love of the outdoors.

I've selected to support these amazing organisations for all the hard work they do and because, like many other voluntary organisations, they receive very little (or no) funding in relation to the invaluable service they provide.

There are separate fundraising pages for each of the charity / organisations: Feel free to support one, two, or all, as you feel you can. Two are in Ireland and one in the UK so my friends, family, and supporters can spread the love (and the donations) across the two countries I call home.

All in preparation for the Big One, the Rather Big Adventure expedition, over the coming months, I will be undertaking a number of challenges: Ya know...Just the "Usual" - endurance races, ultramarathons, halfmarathons, long-distance hikes, kayak races, cycle races, adventure racing, etc. etc.!!!

Please do make sure to donate and support these three fantastic organisations!

In order support these charity organisations (and me - I'll need all the moral support I can get, trust me!!), please do spread the word and donate along the way as I undertake my adventures: It would be fantastic to raise as much funding as possible for all three groups!

A few months from now, hopefully in the first few weeks of April 2022, when the weather, midges, water-levels, and daylight should be optimal, I will be hiking and kayaking, 210km (130 miles), self-supported, from Dublin City to Wexford Town.

Other than the remote safety- and technical-support needed for this challenge, I'll be travelling that entire 210km distance solo and self-supported and wildcamping / bivvying/basha'ing en route in the wilds of the mountains:

- Summitting 16 mountain peaks in the Wicklow and Dublin #mountains, taking in, amongst others, the iconic Djouce Mountain, the stunning Luggala, and the highest peak in Leinster, Lugnaquilla
- Ascending more than 5500 metres (18,000 ft)
- Hiking 90km off-trail over the high hills and mountains of Wicklow and Dublin
- Leaving the mountains having descended from Lugnaquilla, continue southwards along the Wicklow Way trail to the southern trailhead at Clonegal, to complete my 143km of hiking/tabbing
- It's not just gonna be one very long stroll in the hills: In amongst all the hiking / tabbing / scrambling /climbing / crawling, I'll be taking to my expedition kayak to paddle 67km of mountain lakes and rivers along my route.
- All whilst carrying somewhere in the region of 32 kg of kit (70-75lbs)

Did I mention...Along with my food and gear for the 7-8 days, I'll be carrying the kayak with me?!?!

Why? Because it's never been done! And I thought it might be a rather big adventure and a good idea at the time!!

Please wish me luck and make sure to donate to the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team on here, and my other selected charities.

Thank you!

Alan