Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  As you may or may not know, I was a daddies girl until 2 years ago - when he died I felt like my whole world fell apart - I watched him retreat into a pain ridden shell of a man that wasnt at all like my strong, silent type, wonderful dad.  He was in a place just like Isabel Hospice and was so well looked after that I have been hoping to give something back ever since.

Here is the reality - I'm a chronic asthmatic - I have quite literally died from it.  I have spent my whole life being dictated to by inhalers and steroids.  So this trek will be a test and will stretch me physically.

When I was looking at the networking meeting at Grill 55 in Bishops Stortford I realised that the Isabel Hospice were also organising a sponsored Sahara Desert Trek - 8 days of gruelling treks and hard work - helping people in Hospices in Morocco.....  spending nights out in the Sahara - and that was it - I was SOLD!  I spent my whole life listening to my dad talk about his little adventures in the desert when he tried to drive across one in a Jag.... LOL - needless to say he didnt make it!

But I was entranced by the way he talked about the barren and beautiful landscape - the brightness of stars at night, the absolute deafening quietness of the desert itsself - I wanted to do that - it was as if he pointed his finger at the page and said - go on - I DARE YOU!

So, I dare - I have to lose a lot of weight and need to get fit in order to be able to do the 20 mile walks per day but I AM going to do it...  and on those dark nights, sitting in my blanket looking up at the stars, I know that he is going to be sitting right there with me, laughing at my aches and pains with an air of pride because he inspired me to do it.

I need to raise £2,500 in order to go.  So I am asking you to help me raise this money - not for me or my dad - you arent giving it to me, but for a hospice that cares enough to give people like me an opportunity of a lifetime whilst giving people like my dad dignity in death. 

I also need to add another name to my page, my friend Heather Hider, who was taken by the angels before Christmas - she was a force to be reckoned with and was taken far before her time.  Another cancer victim and another person who would scoff in my face if I said that I couldnt do it - because of her, I know there is NOTHING I cant do!  This is for you too!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.