During the lockdown being a busy GP and mother of two I have found myself getting more and more unfit. I have a rare breathing condition which requires a yearly operation to open my trachea, which has had to be put on hold.

To make matters worse my husband got grounded in Nigeria in March. He’s been there three months already and looks like will be there for our tenth wedding anniversary on the 28 th May and our daughters birthday in June 😢 - his job back in the UK is an A and E doctor, However its not all bad as the reason he was there in the first place is to set up a much needed clinic for the local people - so his time hasn‘t been wasted, he has been able to continue some of this work teaching the enthusiastic local children CPR and locals essential medical education.

This project is completely self funded from our wages and whilst he is stuck out there he has not been able to work to fund it 😢

Another fabulous clinic that is coming under threat during COVID 19 is the Lake clinic in Cambodia. One of my GP colleagues Dr Shepherd from Warrior Square surgery regularly goes to volunteer here but of course is unable now due to restrictions in travel They are predicting having to cut right back in services soon if they don‘t receive vital funding

https://www.lakeclinic.org Lake clinic

Without this clinic this community receives NO medical services !

So given all these dilemmas i have decided to get fit by cycling to and from work and to use the bike whenever possible eg my kids have had to attend school whilst I work so will do the school run on the bike - much to my daughters amusement !

My pledge is to do 75 miles by the end of May and at least 100 miles a month whilst in lockdown. This remember wont be so easy for me as others due to my narrow trachea allowing limited air entry, but I'm going to try !!

Any donations received will be split equally between the clinics in Cambodia and Nigeria

Thanks for reading and your support #keepsafe

Karen, Edward, Jake and Martha xxx