Thanks for visiting my page. I'm raising money for the British Heart Foundation's research and I'd be so grateful for your support. The BHF has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK but sadly every day hundreds of people lose their lives. It's only thanks to support from people like us that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. £24 could pay for two hours of research by an early career scientist, but every pound helps so please give what you can to help me hit my target. Thanks!

Heart disease affects many more people than we realise. It seems that every person that I have spoken to about my plans has a story to tell about a family member or friend, or in a few cases, themselves.

As many of you will know, I lost my Dad to heart disease when he was just 44 years old. Having passed that age myself, and unable to bear the thought of my children being in the same position as I was all those years ago, I decided it was time to take on a challenge and raise much needed funds for the British Heart Foundation. So, here I am, about to embark on a massive personal challenge (and it really will be challenging), a trip of a lifetime, an adventure which I know Dad would have encouraged. I can imagine the conversations we would have about the Wall, its construction and the fascinating history which surrounds it. I can not think of a better way to remember a master builder than to walk one of the most amazing structures ever built.

I will be trekking for around 4-7 hours per day (approx. 50km in 5 days)Trekking up and down thousands of stairs, exposed to the elements, trekking on un-renovated sections of the wall, with tricky terrain and taking on sections at height with drops at either side. Along the trekking route, toilet facilities will be limited to the great outdoors! Eek! I shall look forward to reaching the accommodation at the end of each day which will be in basic lodges with western style toilets and washing facilities. 

So, between now and then, I have a lot of preparation to do, an extensive kit to purchase, borrow or hire, visa to get from the Chinese embassy, jabs to have (ouch), the crazy amount of training I have to fit in AND most importantly, get some fun fundraising ideas into reality. Exciting yet rather daunting times ahead.

Thanking you all for your support.