In February I’ll be attempting the biggest challenge of my life - Everest in the Alps - a climb of 8,848m on skis in the Swiss mountains. That’s 5.5 vertical miles (the equivalent of 9 Snowdons) which means 10-12 hrs of ski touring each day for 4 consecutive days, skinning uphill to heights of 3,500m and staying overnight in a hut before setting out again pre-dawn when temperatures can be -30.

EIA is not only a massive physical challenge (burning 1,000 calories an hour) but a monumental fundraising effort too. There are fewer than 100 EIA veterans (this will be the sixth year it’s taken place) yet between them they’ve managed to raise an incredible £6.6 million for The Brain Tumour Charity. The charity has used this unique donation to create The Everest Centre for research into paediatric low grade brain tumours. These tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children but, thanks to The Everest Centre, can now be diagnosed and treated more effectively across the globe using its database/tools/guidelines which are recognised by the World Health Organisation.

EIA is the idea of Rob & Tanya Ritchie who son Toby was just five years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. This was around the same time that my children joined Toby’s school, witnessing him take on and tackle his medical treatment at close quarters. Toby is now 14 and doing really well but faces challenges every day… challenges that ultimately become easier to conquer with the kinder, more targeted, treatment being pioneered by The Everest Centre.

So how can you spur me on and help The Brain Tumour Charity continue its life-saving work?

ONE: Make a donation here and - rest assured - ALL of your money will go direct to the charity (ie you won’t be paying for any of the travel/kit costs involved in EIA)

TWO: Buy some of my award-winning alcohol-free beer. Go to https://shop.bigdropbrew.com and enter BIGCHARITY at checkout for 15% of your order value to go to the charity

THREE: Invite me to run an Alcohol-Free sampling bar at your event. I’ll offer your guests a selection of delicious alcohol-free drinks from a pop-up bar which I will provide and where payments are optional… made using a dedicated JustTextGiving number. Please get in touch to discuss (07720 297972).