Last July, my much loved Aunt Diane lost her battle with cancer. As time goes by, the family are adjusting to living life without her, but it's hard. If anything, the last year showed me that life is never smooth; that everyone of us will experience loss at some point. Whether it's all too soon, whether it's expected or unexpected! 

Since losing my aunt I've been searching for something to do in her memory. Something not easy, something hard! Something that would have made her proud of me; and I finally found it!

On Sunday January 22nd I'll be attempting to complete a gruelling 37km Hell Run/Adventure Challenge with two friends from work. A 5km run through mud bogs, rivers and over obstacles, followed by 25km of mountain biking on trails - up and down horrible hills. This followed by 1-2km kayak, and finally (and most worryingly) by another 5km run through similar brown stuff! I've done some training but have a feeling that I'll be cream crackered by the end of it! That's the idea though - like life, it's not always meant to be easy!

The challenge is only a few days away and I'm still training hard to make sure I'm in the best condition possible to get across the finish line - even if that does mean crawling the last 100 yards! I've been pretty lazy since breaking my leg 7 years ago, so 6 weeks training to do this event might prove a tall order - we'll soon see! I'm feeling nervous, but I'm sure that with your extra support it will give me even more motivation to get through it!

Here's a link to the challenge website if you want to take a closer look at what I'll be doing.

http://www.trailplus.com/adventure-challenge-series.php,

It's been ten years since I did anything for charity -  too long I know! Ten years since I asked for anyone's help in raising some money for a worthwhile cause! I'm hoping that you can spare just a little and contribute towards my fundraising. I've already completed a 5km Bra Run for Cancer Research on Deal seafront on New Year's Day (looking super sexy as I did so), and then stupidly ran into the North Sea (bloomin cold!) to get the fund raising started. See pics & movie. Even if everyone all gave just a quid each, it'll all add up and hopefully make a difference to someones life this year - and that'll make me happy as Larry!

Finally, Abe Lincoln once said "it's the not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years"! Time for me to get busy living, and make a difference this year.

Thanks again. Hope you have a magic 2012 full of fun, good health, fortune and happiness!

Big LOve

Ryan x

Update 25/1 Job Done! Some pics here for everyone to see. Unfortunately I can only load a small amount onto this site, so I will be adding to my Facebook page for all to see! Once again, it's unreal the amount of money we have raised in such a short space of time. I am forever in debt to those who have shown their love and sponsored me. Love to you all. It will make a difference to someones shit deal this year! This website will remain open for 2 more weeks to catch the last remaining sponsors! Ry xxxxx

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