click to enlarge JOHN GORE CLIMBING MOUNTAINS In June, 1999, I had heart valve replacement surgery in The Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary. After a quick return to fitness, I set myself a target to climb the 214 Wainwright mountains in the Lake District within 5 years of my operation. Having accomplished this in June, 2004, I gave myself a further challenge, this being to climb them for a second time by different routes where possible, before my 65th birthday in February, 2008. I reached this objective in October, 2007. My passion for walking the mountains never diminished and I continued scaling the heights and now have just 4 Wainwright peaks to climb in order to complete the 214 for the third time. I shall reach my goal in spring of this year, the plan being to climb the last one with some members of the family, and to have a little celebration to mark the achievement! FUNDRAISING Lots of people have encouraged me to spread the word of my achievements and hopefully raise money for some good causes. I have chosen the following three very deserving charities. 1. The British Heart Foundation which funds research and education into fighting heart and circulatory disease. It also provides life saving equipment to help heart patients. 2. Take Heart is a charity run on a completely voluntary basis and raises money for the Yorkshire Heart Centre to fund projects and provide the best possible comfort for patients and their families. 3. The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association is the umbrella body for mountain rescue teams in Cumbria. It coordinates the development of operational matters as well as the day to day running of an efficient voluntary rescue service. Obviously, I personally owe a huge amount of gratitude to the first two organisations. I have fortunately never needed the help of the third but I know what an amazing job they do in the area where I live and fully deserve all the help and support that we can give them. If you would like to mark my achievements by supporting these three charities, that would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks - John Congratulations John - what a magnificent effort. We really appreciate what you are doing and rest assured that every donation made to Take Heart will make a difference to patients and staff in the Yorkshire Heart Centre here in Leeds General Infirmary.