I was always planning to set myself a challenge for the year I hit 40, and also to have a big party! However, given the current situation, I have adjusted my plan slightly. I pledge to cover the distance of 40  marathons over the next year, by Ali power! That is rounded up to 1,050 miles or 1,690 km and will probably include running, walking, swimming, canoeing…staying local where needed, in line with guidelines. 

I know that the situation we are in at the moment is making life incredibly tough in many different ways for many people, and so if anyone feels able to donate the cost of the few pints we might have shared, that would be amazing! I had a long list of charities that I would have liked to support, but I can only choose one through the fundraising website. I eventually decided on the Trussell Trust – Stop UK Hunger who are a fantastic charity supporting a nationwide network of food banks and providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty. They also challenge the structural economic issues that lock people in poverty, and campaign to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Last year, food banks in our network provided more than 1.6 million emergency food parcels to people in crisis. More than half a million of these went to children. It’s not right that people can’t afford the basics. With your help, we can help end the need for food banks. As a nation, we expect no one should be left hungry or destitute. Illness, disability, family breakdown or the loss of a job can happen to any of us. With your help #ThisCanChange

This challenge is not about reaching a donation target, it is more about reaching out, so if there is a charity close to your heart and/or community please feel free to donate to that instead, or equally, donate your time or skills. I just wanted to use this opportunity to encourage a little bit of extra support to those in need, and especially during these extra tough times.

If anyone would like to join me during this challenge for a few socially distanced miles, then that would also be fantastic! I will keep you posted on my progress! 😊