Hello!

In July I will be part of a team kayaking the Great Glen from Fort William to Inverness to raise vital funds for Back Up - the small but essential charity that helps transform the lives of people affected by spinal cord injury across the UK.

My story: 

I sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury in 2005 aged 13 as a result of botched surgery to correct scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Essentially part of my spinal cord is dead and my nerves have been doing their darnedest to reroute themselves ever since. As a stubborn teenager I largely rejected all offers of help/support outside of my immediate family and friends. Instead, I opted to muddle through school, university and onwards not really accepting that this is a life-long condition that won't just go away if I ignore it. It was only last summer that I reached out to Back Up and went on a short weekend away with other spinal injuries folk - meeting people with similar experiences for the first time. It was a tough few days but also so worthwhile. And we had a right laugh.

Back Up exists to support people with recent injuries, those years post-injury, and friends, family and loved ones also affected. They are a small charity with a massive impact. Check out their work at www.backuptrust.org.uk

The challenge: 

This year I promised myself I'd take on a physical challenge and also be proactive about getting out into the Great Outdoors in ways I can manage and enjoy - so here we are! (Is this also an excuse for me to continue my enduring love affair with Scotland/seek out Nessie once and for all? Yes, yes it is.)

The route is just over 60 miles long and will be a combination of paddling along canals and through freshwater lochs, including Loch Ness, whilst facing whatever weather Scottish 'summer' chooses to throw at us. We'll be in 2-person kayaks - each pair will have one person with a spinal cord injury and one without - and will be camping along the way.

My last moment of thrill-seeking fundraising madness was jumping out of a plane in 2013 so I'm hoping 6 years isn't too soon to be asking you to consider supporting me again...I'll be risking life and limb at the hands of the midges after all.

All money donated goes straight to Back Up (I've paid the fee to take part and cover the kit hire/camping/food etc.)

Thank you! C x