Mera Peak Expedition - Support me and Macmillan Cancer Support as we raise money and awareness for the battle against brain tumours.

I am climbing Mera Peak in Nepal in November 2024 in memory of my dearest sister Jo, who we lost to a cancerous brain tumour that progressed incredibly quickly following diagnosis last year.

From the very start Jo led a life less ordinary. She dealt with challenges all her life, yet this never held her back from a life full of joy and adventure.

At 5 years old, on Mothering Sunday 1974, Jo had a serious accident at Romilly Park in Barry, suffering a head injury. This led to the discovery of a brain tumour, that although this was treated to save her life, it left her with a very subtle disability. Given the subtlety and less than obvious nature of her condition, from then on as a family we decided Jo would not be treated differently to anyone else, and her mild weaknesses should not hold her back. And my goodness, did she not hold back on everything she would go on to achieve.

Despite her challenges, Jo achieved so very much, and we’re extremely proud of her.

Jo’s passing leaves a gaping void in all our lives, yet with all she has achieved she has left us with so many happy and joyful memories to help fill this, and it these memories we will turn to when we are missing her.

Climbing for Jo!

In November 2024, I will be climbing Mera Peak, one of the highest trekking peaks in Nepal for Jo! An expedition to summit the 6,476m mountain.

The expedition will last 3 weeks and includes acclimatisation, with base camp at an altitude of 5,300m. The biggest challenge will be managing the effects of altitude on my body, and I’ve spent the last few months training hard and preparing to take on the challenge, in the same fashion as my sister Jo who lived with adventure.

Support my expedition and Macmillan Cancer Support

Any support you can give, no matter how little, would be greatly appreciated!

Macmillan gives people with cancer everything they’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are Macmillan’s worries. Macmillan’s doing whatever it takes. But without your help, Macmillan can’t support everyone who needs them.

I am ready to climb!

I’ve trained and I’m ready to climb for Jo in November!

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddam mountain.” - Jack Kerouac