I have had a year off from charitable challenges and feel it is about time I supported a charity which as a family we have called upon for information and advice over the last 6-7 years. Eilidh my eldest daughter has a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) which is not clearly understood, yet effects a large number of people. Eilidh does not have any aggressive symptoms as yet and leads a perfectly normal life but this can change at any time and the more we understand the better the treatment and care will be.

Nerve Tumours UK provide crucial support to people living with the Neurofibromatoses - the conditions that cause nerve tumours. These are dominant genetic conditions, which means that they can be passed on in families from one generation to the next through genetic inheritance. Similarly, about half of nerve tumours cases recorded have no previous family history of the condition. In other words, it can occur totally “out of the blue”. For my family the charity has helped us understand the condition better and has provided support when there has been a need to offer guidance to school teachers and others about the condition and what to look out for in Eilidh's behaviour. Others have it much, much, worse and the condition can be life threatening so this is a worthy charity to support not just because it is personal.

Now my challenge, I sometimes wish I could get an idea and let it pass but then that wouldn't be me, I love a challenge! I have signed up for my first triathlon, an Iron Distance Triathlon. The triathlon involves an open water  3800m swim, cycling 180km then running a full 26 mile marathon, straight after each other. I have never swam more than 3-4 lengths with the kids and the idea of a marathon scares the pants off me so this really is my biggest challenge! That said I am confident I can do it and with motivation and some serious training driven on by your support and knowing I am supporting Nerve Tumors UK I WILL do it!

Over the last 3-4 weeks I have joined a local triathlon club, started swimming, running and cycling regularly and am building up a good base before the real training begins!

I will keep you informed how I am progressing on here and on facebook and fingers crossed in 9 months time will share some very unflattering pictures of me falling over the line after 14 hours!

Thank you for your support.

Nick