Hello my lovely friends.

In December I will attempt to complete a 70.3 mile half ‘Iron-man' in harsh conditions to raise funds for the education of refugees in East Africa.

Providing all goes to plan my early start will begin with a 1.2 mile swim in Nairobi, followed immediately by a 56 mile bike ride down country towards Mount Kilimanjaro, and then topped off with a half-marathon in the Kenyan savanna. 

Although I am known to have dabbled in the odd marathon here and there, it is clear to me that this will be by far my most mad and ridiculous challenge yet. Rather madly, this will all be done in December, Kenya’s hottest month, in one of the hottest and driest parts of the world, Maasai land. Although my aim is to finish the race in under seven hours, my real aim is to complete it, full-stop. 

With 5 weeks of training already under my belt, it goes without saying that the high intensity of the next five months training, the monotonous late night swims, ceaseless runs and early morning cycles along West London's sleepy canal is not even a fraction of the unimaginable challenges that refugees are facing daily all over the world.

And so, I am doing this to raise vital funds for Xavier Project who are supporting refugees in East Africa by providing them with a good education and opportunities that help them to lead more fulfilling lives. Kenya and Uganda host some of the biggest refugee camps and settlements in the world, and the challenges faced by refugees there are as serious as they have ever been. For example, over 2000 refugees arrive in norther Uganda every day due to the conflict in South Sudan. Xavier Project are ensuring that these refugees not only go to school, but receive a quality education that will help them engage in and contribute to their new communities. 

My target of £5000 is not unreachable, and whatever you feel you can give would mean a great deal to me. Every single penny will give me a metaphorical kick up the arse to splash, pedal, and plod my way to that dusty old finish line.

Thank you in advance.

LOVE YOU ALL.

The new queen of everything lycra 

X

NB: All donations will go directly to the necessary projects. Travel and race costs will NOT be funded by donations.