The initial idea

I was thinking about starting a new project, or taking up a new hobby, or something to get my teeth stuck into when the Huntington's Disease Association newsletter plopped through my door with a charity china trek in it.

It looked fantastic! I have to raise £2,700 and pay £300 to register for it. It’s a tall order to raise that much, but I was feeling confident I could do it.

I emailed Julie, a client of mine, to ask about vaccinations. She did a similar trek for Cancer in 2003. She lent me the diary of a lady she trekked with, her sisters friend, Jane.

I read the diary by the next day. It scared me because of the amount of training and fundraising Jane did. How am I going to fit it all in?

Then my mum rang. She has already collected £10 from cousin Sue and £10 from Uncle David. My stepdad has pledged £20 and I haven’t even signed up for it yet.