On 20th June, I will be taking on my first ever Half Ironman: aka a 1.9km swim + 90km bike + 21.1km run, all in one (& actually the bike is 96km in the course I’m doing yikes). 

I’m taking on this challenge in the hopes of raising lots of money for Horatio’s Garden, a charity very close to my heart. The charity builds gardens at hospitals to give patients with spinal injuries and their families a chance to break away from their rather bleak rooms and spend time outside. The concept was initiated by Horatio, a family friend and close friend of my brother, who sadly died at 17 when his camp was attacked by a polar bear on a school trip to Svalbard. 

I love exercise. Not only is it a way to push and challenge myself, but also a way to clear my head, forget about any stresses of the day and get that sweet endorphin rush and breath of fresh air.

To be honest, exercise is probably the one thing that has got me through the past year. I’m sure many people feel the same, even if it’s just been that one walk a day that we’ve all so craved. 

Lockdown has emphasised just how important the outdoors are and what magical powers the fresh air, sun and even the cold wind can have on us, both physically and mentally (at least for me it has!). 

This has really highlighted just how incredibly important Horatio’s Garden is and what an amazing role the gardens play in the lives of those in hospital. Getting outside has been a lifeline for me and that’s exactly what the charity offers those with spinal injuries, facing long stints in hospital on the gruelling road to recovery. 

I would love love love if anyone could spare some change to help push me thru the somewhat daunting (terrifying) challenge ahead of me and raise money for, what I think is, an incredible and truly life altering cause!