They say you should never lose your children first - it is not the way or order of life.  A random moment, when life is turned on a sixpence - nothing can prepare you for the unthinkable.  Losing my beautiful boy, Tom (also known as Travis) in July 2019 has turned my world upside down.  The void has been devastating and the meaningless of life profound.

After the ravages of grief hit, then so did COVID-19 and so my healing journey has been done with a lot of soul searching in isolation trying to make sense of it all.  I have tried to turn my energies to nature, nurture, creativity and exercise (as so many of us have) during this weird world that we find ourselves in.

In September 2020 under strict guidelines, I was able to attend the Good Grief Project weekend retreat and the fellowship, love and compassion of being with others who understood first hand the experience of being a bereaved parent was a pivotal point in coming to terms with my grief.  

This challenge will be a big one for me - physically and mentally I have used exercise as a means to cope with 'another day' during lockdown and following injuring myself in February, the task of training for this gruelling course has been greatly curtailed - but am determined to push through and do this in memory of Tom and to raise money to help others who are in that 'awful club' a chance to be comforted, acknowledged and remember those they have lost too soon.

I make decisions now with WWTD? (What Would Thomas Do?) in mind - my benchmark and guide.  And this challenge feels intrinsically right both in honouring Tom, moving forward to face this new chapter of my life whilst helping others.  But most of all I want him and his sister to be proud of their mum. The void has been devastating and will never be filled but I still have a life to live.... and this feels a good step forward on that path, hilly or otherwise!

If you are able to give a donation, however small, that would be absolutely fantastic.  I am ready to face the challenge.... let's do this.

Yorkshire's Three Peaks (Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough) form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Our challenge is to complete the 24 mile trek and 1585m (5200ft) of ascent in under 12 hours. All money we raise will help bereaved families on low incomes attend one of The Good Grief Projects Active Grief Weekends. These residential retreats are especially designed to support bereaved parents and siblings who have experienced the death of a child (of any age). The aim is to help them find new and creative ways of expressing their grief. The Good Grief Project organizes 3 weekends annually, each one costing around £14,000 and although some parents can contribute to the cost (usually £250-£350 a head) we want them to be available to everyone, especially those on low incomes. Thank you so much for your support.For more info please visit https://thegoodgriefproject.co.uk/active/