At the start of October, I will be undertaking ‘ the toughest footrace on earth’ crossing the Sahara Desert. The challenge involves 6 stages over 7 days totalling 250km (156 miles). This is 6 marathons with the longest stage of 80km ( 52 miles). It is a self sufficient race but with water rations and a communal goats hair Berber tent provided each night. Temperatures are likely to be up to 50 degrees and carrying everything on my back, it will be a huge physical & mental challenge. I am doing this both as a personal challenge and to raise money for the SSPCA to help them in their fight against puppy farming. 

In 2018, we rehomed our spaniel Bramble. Born on a puppy farm, she was  caged in filthy cramped conditions for 6 months before being seized with over 70 other dogs by the SSPCA. She then spent 10 months in a rehoming centre having her medical needs addressed. She was one of the lucky ones. Mentally and physically the scars are there. She came with her challenges but at least she survived & got out unlike many other dogs suffering significantly today that the SSPCA have not yet got to. The photo of her in a wire cage at the puppy farm is a still taken from the filming on the day of the raid. It breaks my heart. The others are all from recent training days, she is my most loyal running buddy!