Hi all. I'm taking part in Child.org's Ride Africa challenge: cycling hundreds of kilometres (500 to be exact over 5 days) across Kenya to raise money for life-saving work in maternal and child health. No mum or child should die from a preventable cause

As many of you know I am an Obstetrician and providing safe obstetric care lies close to my heart. We are so privileged here in the UK, it’s easy to overlook.

I was shocked to hear that in Kenya alone, the maternal death rates are rising: in fact they doubled from 2017 to 2022 and the consequences this has is beyond devastating.

When my anaesthetic colleague suggested I take part the other year, I shy’d away as cycling is not my strength and my knees are not fit for purpose anymore! Infact I don’t even own a bike!! So this is also a personal challenge, that’s going to require some serious training and dedication.

Don’t worry, the funding is not to help me buy a bike….i have a colleague that can help me do this!!

So anything that you can give or spare, is so gratefully appreciated from the bottom of my heart.