I met the amazing Dr Nolwazi Ncube a few years ago and learnt about her Save the Girl Child Movement (SGCM) which she founded with a simple yet powerful goal: to provide reusable period products to girls and women in need in Zimbabwe.

This particular SGCM goal (there are more now) moves me as my personal experience from menarche (start of my periods) at age 13, to now peri-menopause (age 51) has been a long, bloody, tiring, anxiety-inducing journey. From the get-go, I had very heavy periods which I discovered much later in my thirties was down to uterine/ womb fibroids. My periods would therefore drain the energy out of me and cause much pain. I regularly messed my mattresses, clothes, underwear. Being on my period always caused me much stress. I had vitamin supplements, and later transfusions so that I wouldn’t be so washed out and tired. I finally found respite through a combination of surgeries, the mirena coil, and sadly (or fortunately) menopause creeping up on me.

However, despite all these problems, I was never, ever without a supply of cotton wool, pads, or tampons. This is sadly and heartbreakingly not the case for very many girls and young women in Zimbabwe. I imagine a young girl with a similar medical condition to me; what does she do? How does she maintain her hygiene, her dignity, and get on with daily life without basic period products?

This is why I am raising funds. I am no stranger to fundraising by using the talents I have. I am re-discovering a love for running and will use upcoming events I have entered to train, get fit again, break personal records, and raise money for this basic need for all young women.

I will provide regular updates of my activities so that we travel this journey of helping and raising money, together.

Current challenge (August 2024): run 5km daily for the month of August, except on the days I do long walks!

Walk 100km (62.1miles) on 7 and 8 September 2024 - this is the South Coast Challenge https://www.ultrachallenge.com/south-coast-challenge/

October: run 300km (I may modify to make more interesting)

November: keep running. Will determine a specific goal.

December: 1 December 2024. I aim to beat my PB record which is 4 hours 20 minutes for a marathon (42km/ 26.2miles) https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/marathon/maraton/

Thank you for reading my short story and plea.

A bigger thank you for donating.