On September 17th 2022 I will be running the Cha Cha Cha Ultra Trail alongside some of my favourite humans; Josh, Ben & Becks , Cheese, Katie & Weed, Henners & Kajsa, and Ames.

The boys have decided to tackle the 46km distance, with 2974 metres elevation, and the girls are doing the 22km distance, with 1243 metres elevation. 

We have taken on this challenge in memory of my little sister, Hatty, and to raise money for Hatty's Fund, which is a branch of an incredible charity called School Ground Sounds. In November 2020, Hats was killed in a freak road accident whilst out walking her dog near our family home in Somerset. She was just 24 years old, and had her whole life ahead of her. The void that she has left behind is indescribable, and the last 21 months have been the hardest of my, and so many others, life.

In 2019, Hatty joined 20 other fundraisers to walk 100km along the Ridgeway, individually raising over £1100 for School Ground Sounds. She courageously battled huge blisters to complete the 2-day challenge, whilst also finding the strength to encourage other walkers along the way, with her infectious humour and stories. 

Hats adored music. So many of my favourite memories with her involve music in some way; festivals; her secretly filming me nailing the high notes in the car; or both of us busting some groves with our infamous lack of rhythm, variety, or style. In memory of Hats - and in recognition of the money she raised - Tom Scott (founder of SGS) has set up a special fund for aspiring young musicians. Any money raised for this amazing fund will gift a number of young people brand new musical instruments to use at home. The founders of SGS & Hatty's Fund work with local school music teachers to identify those students who would most benefit from this help, given that they may not otherwise be able to afford or access an instrument themselves. 

It won't come as a surprise to most of you when I say that Hats was the runner in our family, not me. In fact, I have no doubt that she is finding it absolutely hilarious that Josh has managed to persuade myself, and the others, that this is a good idea. But one thing I do know for sure is that we are all willing to give it our absolute best, because we are determined to do Hats proud, and also to raise as much money as possible for this incredible fund that has been created in her honour. X