I have decided to take part in the Self-funded Charity Challenge to Mount Toubkal, Morocco in December 2021 to raise money for the PBC Foundation. 

This tough but incredibly rewarding challenge combines the unforgettable scenery of the High Atlas Mountains with the difficulties of winter trekking at high altitude. The challenge will involve multiple days trekking through the region, eventually summiting the tallest peak - Jebel Toubkal, standing at 4,167m. 

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune condition which affects the liver. In July 2019, my girlfriends mum, Heather, was diagnosed with PBC and turned to the PBC foundation for support during an uncertain time. When the family learnt of the diagnosis it was a mixture of scared, emotion and confusion as too where this had come from, what had caused it, and what we needed to do to help her.

The PBC Foundation is the only UK based organisation that specifically deals with PBC. They offer a range of services that include a telephone helpline.  The helpline is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  The helpline has been used by those suspecting they may have PBC and are looking for assistance in diagnosis, newly diagnosed patients looking for information, carers looking for support, Foundation members whose PBC has progressed or changed and also family members who have a loved one going through end stage liver disease looking for support and also practical information at a most difficult time. 

I will be sharing my training and trek journey with you via Instagram (@tomscharitytrek) so please check it out.

Tom