I spent four months working in The Gambia at the beginning of this year, and truthfully, it was much harder than I expected.

I knew inequality existed, but witnessing it firsthand is something else entirely. No amount of preparation makes it easier to tell a mother that her child won’t survive a treatable condition—one that would have been diagnosed and managed months earlier elsewhere.

What struck me most wasn’t just the lack of resources but the resilience of the people. Where frustration and anger would have been justified, I was met with kindness and gratitude.

Here, healthcare isn’t just limited by availability but by cost. Many families simply can’t afford the tests that determine life-saving treatment. At the hospital where I worked, we had a Patient Access Fund—built entirely from donations—that helped bridge that gap.

That’s why, in September, I’m taking on the South Coast Ultramarathon Challenge; to raise money for this fund and to honour the place and people who made such an impact on me.

Running became my way to process the long, difficult days. As you can see, I was often lucky to be joined by some of the incredible kids in the area, turning a simple run into pure delight.