I turn 40 this year and decided a life experience would be the ideal gift – so I have decided to trek Kokoda in May. Joining me on the trek will be Karen Norman and Nigel Meakins. We have decided to use the trek as the means to raise some money for the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC).

CPEC is literally a world class facility in our own backyard that I had not heard of. With a three year waiting list, CPEC changes the lives of young children suffering this debilitating condition. It caters for children that other systems are not able to, or choose not to accommodate - creating an environment for physical, emotional and educational development. We all do things every day that we have come take for granted. Thirty minutes with Zara, Austin, Ellie and Phoenix and their wonderfully committed families, who make sacrifices every day, has reminded me how lucky I am.

If we get to the (revised!) goal of $50,000, this will provide:

* annual CPEC attendance fees for 15 children, or

* ten walkers, or

* 25 boned 'recovery suits' which are custom made for each child, each year.

However CPEC chooses to spend the money, I know it will make a measurable difference to the ‘families’ that live with this condition. CPEC is a fantastic facility that is run by a wonderful and committed bunch of employees and volunteers.

We are committed to making a small difference and hope you can provide some financial support to this cause.

This is not about us; it's about getting as many kids into CPEC as we can!

A very special note to those that have already jumped on board - you are all fantastic!

Please visit the following link to view some of the press on this adventure:

* Leader Newspaper -

  http://leader.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx - type ‘John Mutton’ into the search field.

* NIBA Magazine -

  http://www.cpec.org.au/docs/John_mutton_article.pdf

* Mentone Cricket Club -

  http://mentonecc.vic.cricket.com.au/pageitem.aspx?id=54165&id2=&eID=1076&entityID=1076

Please visit the following link to download a copy of our trek shirt -

  http://www.interrisk.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/kokoda.pdf

And finally, I would like to acknowledge Neil Akhurst or Paap as I knew him. Paap was Suzanne’s (my wife) grandfather who passed away last year. Paap served twice in WWII, including time spent in PNG as an electrician building the airport to provide logistical support for our troops. He was a man I loved, admired and respected. I will be thinking of him.

  Neil Manning Akhurst (25/7/1921 – 12/5/2011)

Royal Australian Airforce,  50412 CPL