Taking on England’s finest countryside on a 50km stretch from the Kendal Base Camp to north up the Long Sleddle Valley and over the testing Garburn Pass. 

I am joining this challenge to raise awareness and monies to support an amazing charity who have really inspired me and supported me on a personal journey in the last 15 months.

Richard is my fiancé and was sadly diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia back in September 2022 at the age of 42. For those who are not familiar with this cancer, it is a type of blood cancer. One of the most aggressive and life threatening forms of blood cancer. The acute means exactly that, it is fast and aggressive.

After believing his first course of treatment, which consisted of 3 intense courses of chemotherapy, receiving at least 50 bags of donated blood and platelets and battling many life threatening infections, including sepsis and months in solitary confinement in hospital, Richard was given the all clear. Life almost got back to normal.

Unfortunately, on my birthday in October '23, almost 12 months on from the initial diagnoses, we received the dreaded call we really did not want to hear. The cancer was back and the only way of ever beating this awful disease, was in the form of a stem call transplant. 

Being part Portuguese, we understood that having a match may be quite difficult but we hoped for the best and remained positive. His life was in the hands of medical professionals with the support of Anthony Nolan who we trusted and had every faith in. 

Sure enough, positivity prevailed, and on the 22nd December '23 the consultant confirmed the news that despite his sister only being a half match, they had located a donor who was a full match in Germany. This was all thanks to Anthony Nolan and the amazing team at Clatterbridge in Liverpool. 

As far as Christmas presents go, this by far surpassed anything we could ever receive and was the best present anyone in our position could ever ask for. 

Richards transplant journey is due to start this February '24, and we are braced and prepared for some challenges, hard days but also thankful for the amazing donors and everything Anthony Nolan do to give people like Richard a second chance at life and also thankful for the German male we do not know and may never meet. 

Richard is hoping to recover in time to also join me on this challenge, so fingers crossed he can do this. He has a goal and would love to recover for this.

So please help me, my friends and family by giving back to this amazing charity and also following our journey on this challenge. 

Thanks

Louise (& Richard)