So it's finally here.  Many of you will have seen the little challenges I’ve been doing this year, walking Snowdon, 5km and 10km races of which my wonderful friends, family, and colleagues raised over £1000 for Ukraine Aid.  It's now time for the actual challenge.

In a couple of weeks' time (mid Sept 22) I leave for Nepal.  I will be walking to Gokyo Ri which is 5,357m - the same height as Everest Base Camp.

I love the great outdoors, traveling and meeting different people, and emerging myself in different cultures.  I can’t wait.  I will be doing the trek with 3 other wonderful ladies, Sue, Becs and Angi - all themselves doing it for different reasons and great causes.

The trip supports the local community too, it has been booked via a local travel company rather than an external organisation, to ensure the money for the trip fully benefits the local economy.

Supporting charities and causes is really important to me.  So far this year we’ve raised just over £1000 for Ukraine Aid.  Given the ongoing challenges in Ukraine but also now the floods in Pakistan and droughts in Africa I’d like to do this trek to raise awareness and money for the British Red Cross, of which money raised goes to all of these causes.

£1, £10, I know we are all watching our pennies as we head into a recession but if you are able to support in any way these people who need our help and support I know they would be hugely grateful.

The British Red Cross plays a vital role in emergency response, and the ongoing, ever-changing situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. In times of crisis, we’re here to help people. We’re local and we’re global and we’ve been doing this for 150 years. Our network of incredible staff and volunteers means we are uniquely placed to reach people in fearful, uncertain times. But it’s the generosity of our supporters that enables our work to happen quickly and efficiently. We rely on your support to keep us going.