Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and I hope you feel able to donate.  Please read on.....

Along with Philip Tomkinson, Jonathan Scarsbrook and John Whiting I am part of a team we have named Non Compus Mentus attempting the Snowdonia Charity Challenge on 6 July 2013.  You can either donate in respect of me individually (which will count toward the team total) or you can donate in respect of the whole team via our team just giving page at  www.justgiving.com/teams/non-compus-mentis

Let me set the scene by firstly telling you a little about the challenge.  It takes place in the Snowdonia National Park, starting and finishing in Llanberis.  After a 20 mile cycle to start I will leave by bike at the foot of Mount Snowdon and then treck up to the top of it and back down.  Refreshed by that short walk(!), I will then cycle another 10 miles before again leaving the bike and kayaking (with my 3 team mates in 2 kayaks roped together) across Llyn Gwynant.  Finally, back on the bike for a final 10 miles including a 'vicious' hill climb (as described by the organisers!) before descending back into Llanberis.  The fastest teams complete the challenge in 6 hours with the slowest in 12 hours, our aim is something around 9 hours.    For more detail on the challenge please visit www.actionforcharity.co.uk and follow the link for team challenges to the Snowdonia Charity Challenge. 

Yes, I can here you asking 'why...is he mad?'.  Well you maybe onto something there but not only is this a significant personal challenge but the cause, REGAIN, is a very worthy one.  REGAIN is a charity which works to improve the independence of British men and women who have become tetraplegic as a result of a sports or leisure injury.  You can imagine I am sure that tetraplegia must be devastating to ones life and independence.  Any donation you make will help to improve the quality of life of people who have suffered this life changing injury, so please give as generously as you are able.  As a team we have committed to raising £2000, at least £600 of which must be raised no less than 1 month before the event.  For more information on REGAIN please visit www.regainsportscharity.com 

Now a bit about me and the team. We are friends, colleagues and members of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors LLP.  I am 40 years old (yes this might be the mid life crisis kicking in) and as a team our age range is from mid 30's to almost 50).  Neither I nor the rest of the team are either super fit or an accomplished cyclist, kayaker or hill climber, this is therefore going to be a very tough challenge for us all.  However, I am absolutely determined to repay the generousity of those kind enough to sponsor me/us by completing the challenge, as difficult as it will be I am confident that the team motivation will carry us all across the finish line. 

My preparation began in October 2012 when I got on a cycle for the first time in over 20 years.  Since then I've been putting regular miles in in an attempt to build some fitness, strength, stamina and get used to a saddle that is like a razor blade!  Lots more training still needs to be done though and that will intensify as the challenge draws ever closer. 

Finally, onto your valuable contribution. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

You can either make a donation against me personally via this page or you can donate toward the team as a whole on the team Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/noncompusmentus

I do appreciate that Justgiving requires donations to be made prior to the challenge but please remember the team is required to deposit at least £600 of the £2000 we have committed to raise not less than 1 month before the challenge so up front donations are crucial.  If due to unforseen circumstances I am unable to take part in the challenge you will be given the option of having your donation refunded.  So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you so much for your donation.   Rob