TREK TO MACHU PICCHU, PERU 2011

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

If you know me well, you know I smoke too much, eat too much, probably drink too much and I'm lazy so this will be a tough challenge for me don't you think?

In order to prepare for the event I have committed myself to giving up smoking, losing two and a half stone in weight and taking part in an excerise regime that will help me reach my goal. I'm sure you realise that none of these things are going to be easy for me but its a small price to pay for success. I will also be organising other events to help raise funds throughout the year, along with the rest of the team taking part in this trek with me from St Mary's School. But it's not only your money I'm after, it's your general support.

Take a look at this link http://www.charitychallenge.com/expedition.html?id=1311 which tells you a little more about the trek itself.

So why am I doing this? I think all of us have been touched by this awful disease in some form or another, whether it be through family tragedy or friends struggling through therapy to beat it. I have experience of this myself, having lost a good friend to Breast Cancer back in 2006 and several other friends, thankfully still with us, have suffered. I feel if I can do just a little bit to help raise money to support these people, I can sit back and be proud that I did my bit.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Update October 2010

Last week I completed the Palace to Palace Cycle Ride, along with my colleagues Nicky, Chris and Fiona. 45 miles on a bike is pretty hard work, which I could not have done 6 months ago. We cycled, along with 3000 others from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle on a cold Sunday morning in September. My fitness is much improved, I haven't had a cigarette since 30th April and am now 2 stone lighter.

I'm doing well, but continue to need your support. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, I could not have got this far without you.

Update March 2011

Well here we are just two weeks to go before my trip and I'm pleased to say I reached my goal weight a few weeks ago. It has been slow and very hard work but I have now decided to go for the next stone so my new target is 3 stone and I am just 4lbs away from achieving that.

I know many of you have commented on how different I look, it frightens me too when I look in the mirror! I am feeling so much fitter and the no smoking has really helped with my fitness as well. What a difference a year makes eh!