Before I talk to you about this exciting adventure - please if you are wanting to support either charity ensure you click on the correct charity you would like your hard earned money to be given to, you will see when clicking each link the charity name in the header.

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Hi I'm John and I'm a normal guy, I weigh 24 stone and I need to get some weight off and increase my fitness so hiking up mountains isn't easy for me even though I love it! I'm married with 3 children and run a care agency in Devon and with all this in mind I am heading out to the Himalayas on my own to join a small group of mountaineers to scale the mighty Mera Peak.

Steve and I however throughout 2021-2022 will also be hiking as many uk peaks as we can and have already scaled Tryfan, Blencathra, Pen Y Fan in the last 4 weeks so watch this space to see how many we get done in the next 12 months...But wait one minute ... MERA PEAK..

Lets think about that ONE for a minute .... 24 stone, 1 year to get in shape and then I need to climb 6476 meter/ 21,247feet up a freezing cold mountain over a 22 day expedition.. at this height the effective oxygen level drops from 20.9% at sea level to ...ONLY 9%.

9% Effective oxygen means every step is so much harder and every additional bit of weight is so much heavier so yey lets do it!

I and Unicare Devon are funding this whole years activities in support of Headway Devon & Rowcroft Hospice so every penny you donate will go to where its needed.

Welcome to our joint Headway Devon and Rowcroft Hospice Page, Id like to tell you why I am putting myself through this crazy adventure.

Starting with Headway Devon

My Nephew Josh lives with an acquired brain injury and has done since birth, this has had an immense impact on my Brother Jason and my parents in addition Josh lost his mum when he was only very young which meant my brother has been a single dad ever since. Now I cant imagine how losing my wife would be let alone being left with a disable and very young child! Yet through different support systems Josh thrived with my brother at his side and I am incredible proud of them both.

Headway Devon rebuilds lives for people affected by acquired brain injury. It happens in an instance. One moment there’s an adult cycling, driving to see a loved one, crafting, working, loving life and then suddenly they’re being rushed into intensive care. Strokes, bleeds on the brain, traumatic brain injuries and brain infections turn life upside down physically and psychologically. It can affect the very identity of the individual concerned. It’s devastating.

When talking to the team team at Headway Devon they have so many lovely success stories but one phase jumped out for me and sealed the deal for my support on this challenge.

“If it wasn’t for Headway, I don’t think I’d still be alive”

Now this as I am sure you would agree is simply an amazing statement and just one of many!

There is life after acquired brain injury and Headway Devon is there for 200 people every year from Tiverton to Dartmouth. We are there for their families as they get their head round finances, changed relationships and the trauma of sitting at their loved ones bed wondering if they’re going to die. We’re there for clients, working with clinical teams to support clients in their homes and in Exeter, Honiton or Torquay centre as they rebuild their lives. We help clients find new ways of doing things and support them as they work through the frustration of trying to reroute brain signals and see what skills can be regained. We help people find new identities, new interests and a dignity.

£20 can buy an hour of support. £80 can buy a tablet so loved ones can stay in touch with them regardless of covid levels at that time.

Every penny you donate helps us hold hope, rebuild lives and be there for the people we serve and means the absolute world to all of the team at Headway Devon.

Rowcroft Hospice

Why Rowcroft Hospice? to see how they provide a fully inclusive and well planned support bubble that wraps around our sick relatives or friend plus their families when they need it most is simply incredible! The care they provide these families when they need it the most is simply uncompromising to ensure each person, in their care receives a person centred and bespoke plan that makes the most of their personal situation.

Be it for their final moments or whilst they recuperate either way this quality and personal approach is maintained.

Rowcroft Hospice is much more than a tranquil environment where you can receive great care, they also continue this support out in the community and visit your/our loved ones in their own homes ensuring they make the most of every moment.

Rowcroft Hospice also provide great training courses that help so many people become more knowledgeable and care.

None of this is possible without the money raised by all the wonderful supporters of this great charity.

So as of the 8th October 2021 this epic count down will start and your support will be gratefully received by Headway Devon and Rowcroft Hospice, please give what you can and share this with everyone you know and watch out for updates ...every rewarding but painful moment as I go through this 12 months.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for any donations