Hi, my name is Simone Baird and I was recently asked to accompany Kate & Sue on a 'working holiday' as the official 'camera man' on the Cannonball Ride. I am thrilled to be a part of a once in a life time journey to raise much needed funds for debra and sufferers of EB, a painful and fatal skin condition. When I was asked to come along on the ride it brought great excitement yet plenty of fear. In order for me to go anywhere without my 11 year old daughter Eliza it entails extreme planning and attention to detail. You see, Eliza has a severe form of EB and as a result, she sufferers multiple disabilities including kidney impairment.

Before I leave for this trip a team of carers will need to be recruited and intensively trained to care for Eliza. Her care will involve painful daily dressings, overnight care, preparation of a cocktail of medicines and many weekly appointments in the dialysis unit at the Royal Children’s hospital. The planning starts now!

So, for me to undertake this massive effort, it must be worth it right? Believe me when I tell you that this fundraising effort by the Cannonballers is so very important to debra and its members. It offers us, and our little ones with EB, hope that one day there will be a cure for EB thanks to caring people like the Cannonballers. I'd like to thank all the riders and Kate for offering debra such an amazing opportunity to be a part of this fantastic ride, and fundraising effort. I can't wait to be a part of this trip. The experience will be inspirational and a big part of debra Australia's future.