On November 7th, I proudly completed 22 years’ service in the Royal Navy. From Aircraft Carriers to Assault ships, sea operations to land operations in Sierra Leone. The most testing being Female Engagement Team (FET) serving frontline with 42 Commando on Herrick 14. Proving certainly the most testing time of my career!  Needless to say my career has been a colourful and exciting adventure! In 2022 I am embarking on a new and exciting adventure to give something back to one of the charities which supports serving and veteran personnel, and their families, the Royal British Legion (RBL). RBL supports those who are isolated from family, feeling lonely, facing homelessness, struggling to feed their children and in financial crisis. My fundraising will help them to continue this important work.

Set in the stunning wilderness of Northern Sweden, I will be taking part in the Arctic Survival Challenge, and will learn life-saving skills and how to adapt and live in the harsh Arctic environment. The eight-day challenge will test my ability to adapt and survive in one of the harshest environments on the planet, and also experience the thrill of husky driving and snowmobiling, ice fishing, fire lighting and snow hole building. For those of you that know me well, you know how much I hate to be cold so this will push me mentally and physically. However, I am very determined and don’t give up easily, apart from when it comes to running (I would rather walk or cycle thank you lol).

I have never done a fundraiser like this before, so it is strange for me to ask for donations. However, big or small I will thank you in advance for all your contributions. I fully appreciate times are tough and people might be struggling, so anything you can spare will be warmly received. I will be doing a number of fundraising activities between now and the challenge, including cake sales, bike rides, kayak adventures and I have also signed up to walk 1000 miles by Christmas (nearly completed), the equivalent of Land’s End to John o’ Groats. Even if you can’t support me financially, could you bake me some cakes? Join me on a long bike ride? Or join me for a walk to keep me motivated? Even help me come up with new fundraising ideas? Any help is gratefully appreciated!

I cannot express how wonderful the RBL are and I hope I am fortunate enough to never require their services. However, if I do, I feel comforted to know they are there in the background waiting to help.