My very wonderful mama died in June 2021, after a very speedy reoccurrence of the most awful disease which is cancer. Whilst we went about contemplating how our world was (and continues to be) shattered, there was, throughout this time, an incredible presence of peace and calm, support and nurture, from the most wonderful team of people from Mountbatten hospice. People who consider it a privilege to look after people in their final weeks and who support the families (mentally and emotionally) during the hardest times you ever have to face. Personally, I can only aspire to be as kind and gentle as these people.

Never a family to miss an opportunity for a challenge and definitely with a huge need to say thank you, some of us have decided (as Amanda eloquently has mentioned, after possibly some red wine) to climb Kilimanjaro, to raise much needed funds for Mountbatten; so that they can continue the amazing work they do. Mum would have thought this was a brilliant challenge and already be putting us through our paces.

For those of you unaware, Mum was born in Zanzibar (a small island off the coast of East Africa) which forms part of Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, is the largest free standing mountain in the world (gulp) at just under 6,000 meters. Therefore, not only is this a great, personal challenge, but one which will have plenty of meaning; in the country Mum was born in.

Avengers assembled! The team is: me (provider of blister plasters and snacks), Dinky, my sister-in-law and definitely chief in charge of planning, prep and training, Amanda, responsible for our spiritual salvation and most definitely for pouring the wine, and Lisa, one of the coolest people I have ever worked with and who had agreed to fundraise before I had explained the brief (and didn't back out when I explained what it was!)

As we go through our fundraising journey, we will keep you posted on how training and fund raising are going, as well as sharing more information on the crazy girls who have signed up (press ganged) into this amazing adventure; to remember the most wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend we could all hope to know - and to raise pots of cash for the kindest people in the world.

Thank you and big love xx