In 2022, my brother and partner lost their second son, Ruben, at only three months old, due to complications of dilated cardiomyopathy, and a hidden genetic condition (GACI), which they were made aware of until after he passed. If you have ever had someone you love stay in hospital in intensive care, you will have some understanding of the pain and anguish they suffered with Ruben over the three months, with his last admission to intensive care on New Years Eve, where they were never able to take him home again, no-one will be able to understand that pain, unless they have experienced it themselves. It has been an incredibly hard time with them, and their other son, who was just four at the time.

Since then, they have committed to fundraising in his memory, to raise money for global research into genetic cardiomyopathy, as there is still so little known about the condition and ways to treat it. They met the target amount of £200,000 within two years, but continue to raise money for the research, as they don't want any other parent to walk away from hospital without their child.

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So, what am I doing to help?

I will be trekking 126.4km over five days to raise money for this worthy cause! Please see Itinerary below:

Saturday 5 October - Wednesday 9 October

Day 1: Cape Naturaliste Light House to Moses Rock Beach - 24km
Day 2: Injiup to Gracetown - 23km
Day 3: Gracetown to Redgate Beach - 30km
Day 4 Redgate Beach to Hamlin Bay - 28km
Day 5 Hamlin Bay to Cape Leeuwin - 23km

https://www.australiassouthwest.com/blog/hike-the-cape-to-cape/

As you can see, this is going to be challenging, and well planned with a heavy bag of food, water, and blister plasters! If you can donate anything towards my fundraiser, I will be very grateful, and it will help spur me on, when the days get tough....

Wish me luck, and thanks for reading ! Tom Jones