On 1st August 2022 I will have had the privilege of working for Martin House for 20 years. I am still as passionate and proud to work for Martin House as I was the day I started, and have been fortunate to have worked with an amazing team whose sensitivity, compassion and ability to always go the extra mile has been inspiring.

It is however, the families, children and young people that I have met over the years who have provided the most inspiration. Their resilience and ability to live with immeasurable daily challenges is truly humbling.

I have previously completed several fundraising events for Martin House. Most of these have involved running (but my 63 year old knees have told me that this time it needs to be different). With that in mind I have decided to incorporate as many different things as possible. I have set myself the task of completing a different challenge for every year I have worked at Martin House. These are wide and varied and I am hoping to complete them all in June and July.

My challenges are:

• learn to crochet well enough to create a toy for my beautiful granddaughter
• make 20 bags to sell
• make 20 cards to sell
• hold a plank for 2 minutes on 20 different days in 20 locations
• cycle 200 miles in a month
• walk The Ullswater Way (20 miles)
• 20 aerial yoga poses
• drive the Wet Wheels boat over 20 knots
• 20 Ballet steps
• organise a yoga fundraising event (including 20 poses)
• climb Scafell Pike
• learn how to Paddle board
• Complete the Cow and Calf abseil event
• learn how to rock 
• Indoor sky diving
• complete the How Stean Gorge Via Ferrata
• complete the How Stean Gorge Abseil and Gorge scramble
• ride Velocity 2 (the fastest zip wire in Wales)
• ride a Cumbrian Heavy horse
• complete the Harewood inflatable obstacle course

I am also hoping to complete a mystery challenge which will be revealed in September! Watch this space!!

For some, these challenges may seem relatively easy but they are all challenges for me, considering that I’m not so good with heights. 

If you are able to support these challenges or share my page I would be very grateful. In the current climate, all donations to Martin House are particularly valued in order to support the amazing work this charity provides to families with a child with a life limiting condition.