Swapping Dessert For Desert 🏃‍♂️🐪🏜

Let’s be fair, this title is misleading. I’m still eating dessert. But I’m putting the sugary delicious calories to better use now. 

I’m donning my running shoes, clocking up the miles in training and I’ll be taking part in the Marathon des Sables by running across the Sahara Desert in April 2019. 

You can read a little more about what's involved here: https://www.facebook.com/187646037934324/posts/2153034164728825/

…and I reasoned if I’m to run 156 miles in six days across one of the worlds most inhospitable environments I could raise money and draw attention to a cause much greater than my own. 

The charity I’ve chosen is The Lighthouse. I came across them just over a year ago when I was looking to donate to Woking Foodbank. 

The Lighthouse is host to several fantastic projects including Jigsaw who collect good quality pre-owned clothing, equipment and toys for children under 5 whose family don’t have the means to buy their own. 

They also do confidence workshops to help women back to work, therapeutic bread making and courses to teach people to cook on a budget. 

The building in Woking which hosts The Lighthouse has been described as a sanctuary and I can see why - if you go and visit it’s an incredibly calming place. 

Like all charities, these guys need money. This can help buy children mattresses and stair gates for families who need them. 

But beyond any financial donations I’d love for you to go and visit. 

They’ve got a brilliant coffee shop called The Cosy. Unlike most charity coffee shops, the coffee is good and it’s a beautifully calming atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to meet a friend. 

Otherwise if you have any good quality clothes, equipment and toys for under 5’s then please donate them to Jigsaw. If you’re local I can collect them and drop them off if you need help. 

Most people are aware of the role of the Foodbank. But I know at different times of the year supplies get low. Everyone is always generous around Christmas - but towards spring and into summer they often need supplies. 

This is a wonderful charity. They address poverty by meeting practical needs compassionately and by offering resources, a place to build relationships and giving people identity. 

I know everyone has their own charities they support, money can be tight and I’m not entirely comfortable asking for donations (hence my hesitation in launching this just giving page).

And so beyond any financial donations; any donations for the Foodbank; any good quality pre-owned clothes, toys or equipment for under 5’s you might have laying dormant up in the loft; or taking the opportunity to meet a friend for coffee in The Cosy - I’ll be hosting a couple of fundraisers myself. 

I plan on hosting a couple of events in the next few months exchanging my skills and services including a fat-loss talk at the end of January, a workshop for my online clients in February and my Urban Tri in March. 

Thanks again to everyone for the support. 

The Jigsaw project, operating from he Lighthouse, supports families in financial need with pre-school children. In Surrey approximately 23,000 children and young people live in poverty. We provide non-judgemental support, giving an immediate response to families in crisis. Referrals to Jigsaw are through social services, health visitors, YourSanctuary and other services. We work closely with Woking Borough Council in assisting refugees arriving with nothing. We collect high quality pre-owned children's clothing, toys and equipment ( buggies, car seats, cots etc) and provide them free of charge to families in need.