Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May, I'm doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks walk. The walk is 25 miles and 1,500m of vertical ascent; it will be by some way the longest hill walk I've ever attempted.

I'm doing this to raise money for Aspire, who provide help and support to people with spinal injuries. 

Why? Because on 16 May 2004, I fell off a horse and on being taken to hospital was told that I had broken my back - to use accurate terminology, a compression fracture of my Lumbar 1 vertebra. On 24 May 2004, I underwent surgery to stabilise my spine by fitting two titanium rods and four screws into my lower back. Following that was another two weeks in hospital, then physiotherapy, together with three months in a back brace to enable my back to recover.

When I left the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, I was able to walk the short distance to my parents car. Four years on, I took up hill walking. I am very conscious that I am one of the lucky ones. For many, spinal cord injury means damage to both motor and sensory nerves, and often results in paralysis, and life in a wheelchair. 

Aspire offers practical support to the 40,000 people in the UK living with a spinal injury and its after effects, so that they can lead fulfilled and independent lives. I would be very grateful for any help you can give me in raising money for them.