Janet Peto recently completed an amazing fundraising challenge, completing the Tour de Mont Blanc. Janet told us about what inspired her to fundraise for the TSA and what the whole experience was like

If Janet’s story inspires you to fundraise, you’ll find lots of ideas for challenge events here.

“I have always been the type of person that loves a challenge. It’s normally a spur of the moment decision and at the time I don’t appreciate the enormity of what I have signed up for. The challenge to undertake the Tour de Mont Blanc was one of those challenges!

As I had just retired after 35 years in the property industry, I decided that it was the perfect time to take on this epic walk, trekking 105 miles, scaling a height of 10,000m over 10 days, travelling through France, Italy and Switzerland and climbing the equivalent of Scafell Pike every day for almost 10 days. I accepted I couldn’t face this alone so cajoled my two daughters and sister-in-law to join me. With every challenge I always feel that there is an opportunity to give something back.

As the TSA is a charity that has advised and supported my family and I over the last 25 years it felt appropriate to try and raise some money and promote awareness of this condition. My son, Matthew, was diagnosed with TSC as a toddler and although he is mildly affected it has impacted his life in many ways. He has had to undergo two brain operations to remove troublesome growths and have a programmable shunt fitted as well as deal with the impact of epilepsy. I felt that if Matthew could deal with all those challenges, I should surely be able to take on the Tour de Mont Blanc.

The trek was the hardest thing I have ever done – the daily 3 to 6 hours of walking up steep rocky terrain and the never ending scree decent was tough. It was also the best thing I have ever done – the views were insane and the sense of achievement at the end of every day was unforgettable.

I am so proud not only of completing all 105 miles but also of raising over £4,699 for the TSA.

I would like to say that it’s time to hang my boots up and find less physical pastimes but I know that the next challenge is already being discussed!”