Hello Team!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you can support me in this challenge!

This is Leon. Leon is the son of my dear friends Kasia and Charlie Thompson. Leon is 7 years old. He likes trains, squishy toys, books, water play and his sandpit and playing with his little sister Aniela. He has the cutest giggle and a big smile. Leon was born 10 weeks premature and as a result has Cerebral Palsy, which in Leons case means he can’t yet walk. Leon had SDR surgery in 2018 which means a very clever surgeon at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, cut very specific nerves in Leon's spine to reduce the stiffness in his arms and legs, reducing his daily pain and increasing the chances of him being able to strengthen his legs and hopefully one day to be able to walk.

Leons has been given more challenges to deal with on a daily basis than any child should have to. He has physio every day alongside many other therapies and is championed by his amazing parents. Leon can’t ride a bike like other children can but Leon LOVES riding his trike. It gives him the freedom to play and move his body forward under his own power away from his wheelchair. It also gives him physical therapy as he does it! Leon needs a new trike as his body grows and his needs change and the cost of a new trike is bonkers money. So I wanted to do something to help. So I have decided to take on a challenge we are calling ‘Moving Mountains for Leon’ supported by my trainer and dear friend Ryan at 121 Motivation. On Sat 12th December at 2pm I am going to walk the height of Penarth as many times as I can in 24hrs and tick off the comparative height of the UK mountains and beyond as I go. I’ll walk all day and through the night from the Penarth Pier Pavilion up to Penarth Head Park.

I have around 8 weeks to train for this so it’s going to require some serious mental grit to get through the hours needed on my feet to prepare for it. Its going to be one heck of a monotonous challenge repeating the same ascent over and over and over.

If anyone wants to join me for all, some or even a tiny bit of the day and night you’d be most most welcome! The reason for doing this is to provide Leon with a new trike and new parts he desperately needs for his wheelchair. Most kids bikes are pretty affordable and most parents wouldn’t have to think twice about getting their growing child a bike for them to whizz around the park on a Sunday afternoon. Due to Leons CP and his specific needs, this trike is customised just for him and as a result costs a whopping £1800! So please help me get Kasia and Charlie a chunk of the way there to be able to afford it so Leon can ride his trike in the park with his little sister.