So yes, I like a challenge. But I am absolutely, hands down, scared of this one. I will be attempting the Roc England by swimming, biking and running up and down Scafell Pike, totaling 111km with over 3,000 ft of elevation in one day. Apparently the swim is flat.

https://www.theroc.com/the-roc-england/

But what better way to meet a challenge than to make it all about someone else. Again not something I am used to 🙂 ....But these girls deserve equal opportunities, and I bet that my challenge pales into insignificance compared to theirs. This is a special charity to my mum and dad, and me as well.

The Mamie Martin Fund (MMF) supports girls' secondary education in North Malawi. I lived in Malawi with my family for almost 9 years. It is the warm heart of Africa and a place very dear to me.

The MMF also manages the Thompson Fund which supports deaf girls at secondary school in Embangweni, in memory of Jack and Phyllis Thompson. Jack and Phyllis made an impact through classroom teaching, historical research, postgraduate supervision, educational leadership and, above all, through the friendships they formed.

Jack and Phyllis were close family friends and I know my mum and dad miss them very much. I have fond memories of them and their children too, as we grew up together.

These funds are so important for the deaf girls in Embangweni. Not only are girls less likely to go to secondary school than boys and are more likely to drop out, but having a disability further exacerbates issues associated with equality. It is an issue my mum has dealt with all of her life and managed superbly well. I am in awe of her and my dad with what they have achieved in all of their travels and still do to this day through all their voluntary work. So it is in their name, as well as Phyllis and Jack's that I would like to help at least one girl through her 6 years of secondary school. We appreciate all you can give