2016: My Biggest Challenge Year Ever

I've been a busy boy this year but that hasn't stopped me from getting involved in a couple of challenges that will dwarf anything I've done in the past. I've learnt a lot from all my previous challenges including the numerous runs, the attempted but failed Walk Home for Christmas and the National Three Peaks Challenge but these will be nothing compared to what awaits me later on in the year. The challenges I have planned will test my endurance, will to succeed, mental and physical grit and overall determination. One will take place on British soil whilst the other will take place on foreign lands. ​

The first challenge happens in July and will see me along with 5 other comrades attempt to stand up paddle board from Bristol through to London covering 165 miles in just 9 days. The route will begin on the River Avon in the heart of Bristol before it merges into the Kennet and Avon Canal where we will remain until Reading. After this point the canal joins the River Thames, which will lead us into London to our eventual finishing point at Putney Bridge. A feat that is littered with difficulty including no less than 116 locks that will need to be traversed and the tidal Thames. It's OK though, our chief route planner has found that it is lined with pubs meaning there are plenty of refreshments along the way! This challenge is being done in connection with the Youth Adventure Trust, a charity that supports disadvantaged children aged 11-14 through free adventure and the great outdoors.

It tries to instil the 'believe - achieve' mindset that will prepare the children for different eventualities that they may face in their lives. You can find out more about the charity by clicking here. The challenge is coinciding with 'Wild Night Out' happening on the 16th July 2016, which is a combined initiative that tries to motivate children and adults to have an adventure no matter how big or small it may be. It might be a trip away to the mountains or national parks or just a simple camp out in the back garden under the stars. It's an initiative that tries to re-connect people with the natural world around them and away from modern living such as smart phones, TV's, computer games etc... To remind people that we are surrounded by natural beauty even so close to home. It's a known fact that people who spend a lot of time outdoors whether that is with a group of friends or family have a closer relationship and bond with each other. It's also a great way to meet new people; after all strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. There are numerous ways to follow our progress before, during and after this challenge:

Website: www.paddlecrawl.co.uk 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/paddlecrawl
Instagram: www.instagram.com/paddlecrawl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildinspiration

And, if you would like to donate to the Youth Adventure Trust charity then please follow the link to our team Just Giving page:

Donate: www.justgiving.com/Juliette-Harris

"...strangers are just friends you haven't met yet..."

The second challenge is a personal one for me and appeals to my love for the mountains. Ever since I trekked my first peak, which was the Pinnacle located in the Grampians National Park in Victoria, Australia I've been hooked. Within the group that I completed the trek with I was by far the most out of shape. I really, really struggled on the ascent and on numerous occasions almost quit. If it wasn't for one of my trekking mates giving me encouragement then I may never have made it. It was him who gave me the belief that I could do it and through the heat, sweat and hard work I did. Nothing could have prepared me for the intense sense of achievement that I felt when I stood at the highest point of the national park looking out over miles and miles of gorgeous scenery stretching into the horizon. By that point I was hooked. 

No matter how hard the journey was the elation of reaching the summit is something that I find hard to put into words. So, this brings me onto my second challenge of 2016 happening in August. I will attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; the highest free-standing mountain in the world measuring in at 5895 metres. This will be a 7-day return trek that will take me to altitudes that I have never trekked before. To say I'm excited is an understatement. This is a mammoth challenge and one that I'm looking forward to. I've decided to fundraise for Cancer Research on this trip, they have worked tirelessly hard to find cures and treatment for cancer but yet still only 50% of those diagnosed survive. This is a great percentage when you think of the survival figures from back in the 1950-60's but it's still not high enough. Cancer has blighted many a family and mine is no exception with my Nan having survived hers and my Grandad having it twice many years apart. The first time he survived, the second time was fatal. And, even today, I have an auntie who is currently battling the disease. This is why I think as a nation we should continue to fund cancer research so that one day not a single family will have to lose someone to this horrible disease. This challenge is about celebrating life and to help fund a company who is doing an amazing job with battling the one thing that is taking life away from many families in this country. With our help through fund raising then one day we may be able to celebrate a 100% survival rate.

If you would like to donate to Cancer Research then please click on the following link:

​www.justgiving.com/marcus-to-the-top

Again, there are numerous ways to keep up-to-date with this challenge:

Website: www.memoirsofascribbler.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/msamperi
​Instagram: www.instagram.com/mrsamperi

"...Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being..."

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please don't forget to favourite memoirsofascribbler.com and paddlecrawl.co.uk for future updates; also follow me or the team on social media. 2016 has a lot to offer and I'm looking forward to tackling these challenges head on.