Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Well who had a bet on 2019/20 going the way it did?

Obviously the original challenge didn't happen, nor did the revised dates in 2021..So we find ourselves hoping that the third on is indeed a charm. The story below remains the same, up until the global crisis that changed us all back in late 2019, early 2020. All charities struggled, support streams dried up but costs remained. You will read of the superb charity that is Whiteleys as you read on. In addition to the wonderful team and work they do, they continued to provide support to Ayrshire during the pandemic. they opened the doors of the retreat to visiting healthcare staff that needed accommodation while working in the area during the first wave to hit the country. Once again demonstrating the ethos of what is Whiteleys. 

It has been many years since I last dropped the gauntlet to raise funds and conquer a personal challenge. Life has a funny way of knowing what cards to deal and when, then see how you get on. My dear friend Paul Emmerson and I have both had the pleasure of summiting 19,340ft of Mt Kilimanjaro on separate treks (although both along the awesome Lemosho route) and we've have been discussing a trek for a while now. As someone that's incredibly keen on spending my spare time in the hills and mountains, I have the somewhat envious position of also working in the mountains as a Search and Rescue Winchman Paramedic on the Prestwick based AW 189 helicopter operated by Bristow Helicopters for the Maritime Coastguard Agency.

As with all good ideas, a few beers were key to the initial plan which led us to Kang Yatse, all 20,625ft of it in the Ladakh region of India on the Western side of the Himalaya. The trek is being organised by 360 Expeditions and at this time, it is being led by the renowned Rolfe Oostra.

Having been living and working back in Ayrshire since 2015, I felt it only right to support a local charity. After some research I made contact with Whiteleys Retreat and inspirationally energetic Chief Exec Maxine Allan BEM (much deservedly awarded in 2021)

In June 2016, the closure of CLIC Sargent’s Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick saw a small group of volunteers set out to ensure that there would continue to be a much needed respite facility for children and young people with cancer and life altering illness in Ayrshire. Led by CEO and Trustee Maxine Allan who continues to donate her expertise and time to the charity. A new Ayrshire charity; Whiteleys Retreat was formed in December 2016 (formerly Ayrshire Holiday Dreams Foundation). Thanks to the devotion of volunteers throughout Ayrshire – both in the community and corporate sectors, who worked tirelessly withe Maxine to fundraise, renovate and open Whiteleys Retreat in September 2018.