I truly believe when setting goals and challenges it is so important to make your WHY your main focus, when starting this journey it was solely for selfish reasons to get fit again but half way through the challenge whilst on a long run I was thinking about how lucky I am to be in the fortunate position to even be able to run, it led me to a new WHY and one that is very close to mine and my friendship groups heart.

In 2022 my best friends daughter Lola who is one of the kindest, caring, thoughtful and talented young lady's, became very unwell and ended up in on Robinson's kids ward in Oxford hospital, these few weeks were the most traumatising time for Lola and her family, the unknown of what was going on, why she had lost the ability to walk and why half of her face had become paralysed, after multiple tests and MRI's she was diagnosed with Gillian Barre Syndrome which is a rare disease where your immune system attacks your nervous system, this disease if caught and treated early like in Lola's case ( thanks to her muma Sian getting her seen straight away, a mothers intuition never lies) can be treated by a way of blood donors but in some cases and up to 5-10% of people can lead long term paralysis.

This weekend I will be completing the Rak half marathon here in the UAE on behalf of our baby girl Lola and to raise awareness and money for GAIN charity which support family's going through similar situations to the Gendoo - Baugh family.

Any donations big or small are hugely appreciated

Gemma x