It is probably complete madness to contemplate running even a Half Marathon at altitude in 30 degree heat as I approach my half century. However the last year has been tough and I needed to find a challenge that I could focus on to distract me from the sadness. So here I am signed up to JustGiving and dusting off the running shoes and focusing on making a positive contribution to a country I love.

Floss (Eldest daughter) will be in Kenya at the same time as this race, at the end of a three month trip working on farms, teaching in schools and completing adventure challenges of her own. She will either be running beside me or cheering me on. Either way it will be a special moment for us and something positive to work towards after loosing so much. 

I think Daddy would thoroughly approve of this madness and would probably be rather jealous. I know he would have been up for joining me. Mumma maybe would have been less keen to run! but she would have been at the finish line to ply me with water and no doubt beer in equal quantities. 

I have never done something like this before and find the prospect of raising the required sponsorship is daunting but if any of you did feel able to help it would spur me on and make the coming weeks of training less painful. It is as I have said all in aid of an excellent charity and also my sanity.

With so many thanks in advance and all my love

Rosie xx

Kenya, along with many other African countries are currently experiencing a severe drought with 4 consecutive rainy seasons having failed. This when combined with the impact of the pandemic on tourist income has led to desperate circumstances for many. Organisations like Tusk help to fund and organise progressive conservation projects that allow wildlife to live alongside local populations even during times of environmental stress. 

Tusk is awesome because:- 46 endangered species benefit from Tusk's projects.- Tusk has secured over 40 million hectares of landscape for wildlife.- Over 4,500 people are employed directly by Tusk partners.- And more than 4million + benefit indirectly from Tusk's work.

I'll be running the Lewa Safari Half Marathon on Saturday June 24th 2023 to raise vital funds for Tusk.Tusk is an incredible charity that works to fund exceptional conservation leaders across Africa. Tusk enables and empowers expert local conservationists who are best placed to direct the protection of Africa's wildlife.