Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I have signed up for this.

As most of you will know, there is no natural association between me and the great outdoors and most especially not between me and a tent.

However, in aid of the most amazing cause and under the influence of doing some fairly easy hikes in Hong Kong, I have agreed to spend 8 days in Iceland in July 2014, trekking through remote areas and sleeping in a TENT (you will have probably guessed that I have never seen a tent in real life, let alone slept in one).  In the words of that musical great, Peter Andre, this is insania.

I am, apparently, going to be wading through icy streams, trekking over volcanoes (hopefully dormant), navigating mountains, crossing snowfields, dropping down steep valleys and camping next to glaciers.  I have been warned to expect "basic campsites with few facilities" and reckon, although it has not been confirmed, that there will not be tent-service available nor will the cold outdoor showers benefit from hotel-style Molton Brown minis.  Added to this, Iceland's weather is notoriously changeable, so I need to be prepared for strong winds, rain and sunny skies, all in the same day (which will obviously pose a not insurmountable daily attire challenge to add to my other worries).

I am very, very excited, but also very, very nervous and hope that the months of preparation on which I am beginning to embark, pay off by allowing me to get through, enjoy and complete this incredible challenge and in doing so, raise loads of money for a brilliant charity. 

I am honoured to be fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support and I hope that the combination of my remote trek and tent trepidation alongside the real support that your donation could give to people affected by cancer will cause you to sponsor me.  Anything you give is very, very appreciated.

Melissa x