Reuben’s Retreat was founded in August 2012, just two days after the heartbreaking loss of a young child. This incredible charity was created to support families who are navigating the profound grief of losing a child or facing the uncertainty of life-limited conditions.

As I prepare for the Marathon des Sables 2025, a gruelling, self-sufficient 250km run through the Sahara desert, I am reminded of the strength and resilience that families show in their darkest moments. Each step taken during these 7 days under the blazing sun will symbolize my commitment to walk alongside those who need it most, offering emotional and practical support to bereaved parents and siblings.

I invite you to join me in this journey by supporting Reuben's Retreat with any amount of donation you can to achieve the much needed £5,000. Your generosity will help provide vital resources and comfort to families during their time of need. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no family has to face their struggles alone.

Please take 2 minutes and read my story:

5 years ago, 2 months before the COVID vaccine: I'm lying in my hospital bed with leukaemia, at the heart of the Pandemic, and the stars seem further and more impossible to reach than any time before. But the stars ARE there and I soon realise that I just need to build up some courage to reach out for them. I'm deciding to fight!

Fast forward 8 months I'm running a marathon to "Barrybados", Wales. My fabulous Coach, Rory Coleman, who ran over 1,200 marathons, is showing me the way. As he always does. The fact that I can do this fills me with gratitude and a sense of responsibility towards others. I am embarking on a journey of giving back, of helping where help is needed. Doing my little piece of good in this world.

I'm meeting Nic, Reuben's Mummy, and her incredible team at Reuben's Retreat and they bring one of the most shiny, most brightest stars in the sky closer to me - the love that these people give to families in need is just palpable. I keep running. On and on, marathon after marathon, raising much needed funds. Every month a marathon no matter what. This year, with all being well I'm going to reach 50 marathons. before I'm 50 of age... :-) But there has to be more.

And there is. I am lucky to be part of the best industry in the world, working in travel & tourism. All of these people are amazing, kind and exceptionally hard working. I'm starting to bring them together for some inspiring challenges. For life-changing memories and achievements. And for the greater good.

After last year's resounding success where I put together a group of 10 leading travel industry figures who completed a mammoth race of 100km for RR, my thoughts were going back to the stars. I hear that the stars in the Sahara desert are one of the most wonderful and humbling experiences that any human can have so I decided to go and see them.It's no coincidence that I have entered the world's toughest foot race this year, the Marathon des Sables in Morocco.

I'm turning 50 at the end of July and whilst this does not seem such a big milestone for many, to me it is massive, as 5 years ago, battling leukaemia, I didn't know if I would ever reach this age... Or any age in fact.

Since then I have covered thousands of miles, many of them for Reuben's Retreat and all of them with the single thought to give thanks.The challenge ahead is by far the biggest yet. 250km of sand, dunes, rocks, self-sustained regime and carrying around 8kg of food, water and all we need in order to survive 7 days in the desert. We run a marathon every day with the exception of one day when we run almost 80km in 24 hrs.The heat will be relentless.The sandstorms will blind us. Our feet will hurt and the body will scream at us to make us stop.

But what will all this matter when we'll sleep under the brightest stars at night? When ONE star in particular will be so close. When we can achieve so much for others and in the process get to know the real meaning of life's precious gift - LOVE.

Big thanks for supporting me on this journey for Reuben's Retreat!

Lucia