On 23 September 2025, I’m embarking on a challenge to walk over 100km in 5 days across the vast sand dunes of the Namibian desert, the oldest desert in the world, described as "the most inhospitable environment on this planet."  Myself and 14 others, will face changeable desert and coastal conditions along the greater Skeleton Coast, and wild basic camping at night. 

40tude is a charity dedicated to raising awareness and funds to cure bowel cancer. It was started in 2011, and has raised over £2.5 million so far, promoting early diagnosis of bowel cancer and supporting ground breaking research led by St. Mark's Hospital, London, the UK’s national bowel hospital.

This challenge is to raise funds for a campaign called “Half:Time”. 40tude’s aim is to encourage everyone to get themselves tested for bowel cancer, ideally from the age of 45 - the “half time / mid point” of life. This is in response to an alarming rise in bowel cancer cases in the under 50’s, which has increased by 22% in the UK since the 1990s, the highest percentage increase in Europe.  By 2030, it is expected that bowel cancer will be the leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women under 50.  However, early detection saves lives as 90% of patients survive if it is found at Stage 1, but only 10% survive when it’s Stage 4. There are 120 new cases and 50 lives lost to bowel cancer every day.  This needn’t be the case as bowel cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat if it is detected early.  So if more people get tested from their mid 40’s, then more lives will be saved.

I’d be incredibly grateful for your support with a donation if you can.   Together, we can help prevent more families from being affected by bowel cancer.

Thank you for your support.

Annie xx

It’s really easy to get tested: FIT is a simple test that can be done at home. 40tude has partnered with Selph, a well-regarded provider of at-home tests. You can buy a qFIT (high-sensitivity poo test) via Selph's website at: https://www.selph.co.uk/tests/q-fit-bowel-cancer-test