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So I thought about what challenge I could do which people might actually want to donate for my efforts. Now jumping out of a plane, everyone knows I’d love to do that…bungy jump, already bought that t-shirt… marathon, no one is going to pay me to run! So I’ve come up with two challenges that I am genuinely scared about doing. The first being Tough Guy and the second is eating the world’s hottest curry (both of which I need to sign a death disclaimer for!)

 

So First thing’s first…. 'the world's hardest endurance test'

Tough Guy takes place on January 27th, in freezing winter conditions, the race is staged over a course of between seven and eight miles (about 12 kilometres). It consists of a cross-country run followed by an assault course, claimed to be tougher than any other worldwide, featuring 25 obstacles, including a slalom run up and down a hill, ditches, jumps, freezing water pools, fire pits and so on (see detail below). I’m risking barbed wire, cuts, scrapes, burns, dehydration, hypothermia, acrophobia, claustrophobia, electric shocks, sprains, twists, joint dislocation and broken bones! Not to mention I have to sign a death disclaimer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Get3RERJrbM#!

Ok so why am I mental enough to do this event? Well as most of you know last year I had the opportunity to go to Lusaka, Zambia last Summer. Whilst I was there I taught English and match, coached netball, volleyball, basketball and football at Fountain of Hope (an Orphanage and Street Kids Centre), and also within the local community Kamwala. Working with the children at this centre was incredible but difficult at times due to issues related with street children i.e. physical /sexual abuse, substance abuse and challenging behaviour. Zambia has one of the world’s most devastating HIV and AIDS epidemics. More than one in every seven adults in the country is living with HIV and life expectancy at birth has fallen to just 39 years. In 2009, nearly 76,000 adults were newly infected with HIV, that is about 200 new infections each day. After four decades of independence, Zambia has found peace but not prosperity and today it is one of the poorest and least developed nations on earth. Any form of coaching we deliver has to incorporate a social message on HIV/AIDS awareness, Sexuality issues and/or drug abuse, as not only are we using sport as a form of empowerment but also as an educational tool.

Fountain of Hope is the most incredible place I have ever been too and the work they do for children both living at home in poverty stricken conditions, living on the streets and at the orphanage is amazing. Many of the children they work with go on to complete their education and create better lives for themselves and their families. The orphanage currently houses around 70 children and to provide the essentials needed to house and look after these children for a month is £350 and a cost that they cannot pay for without help. I have committed myself to raising money to pay for a minimum of 2 months’ worth of food and essentials and with your help I can help to achieve this.

I will greatly appreciate anything you can give towards this amazing cause. Thank you

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