I'm Walking 100km for Madagascar.

In June, I’ll be walking 100 kilometres—just over 62 miles—through the Peak District over two days, all to raise money for a brilliant charity: Money for Madagascar (MfM).

That’s the same as walking from Shrewsbury (my hometown) to Wolverhampton... and back. Or like 2.37 marathons, with around 12 hours of walking per day.

So why Madagascar?

I first visited Madagascar in 2014, and after spending around six months volunteering and travelling there, I fell completely in love with the place — and its wildlife.

Anyone who knows me knows I love animals, and Madagascar is an animal lover’s dream: over 90% of its species are found nowhere else on Earth, including more than 100 species of lemur. (My favourite is the Verreaux’s sifaka—pictured!)

But unfortunately, Madagascar is also one of the world’s poorest countries.

- More than three quarters of the population live in extreme poverty.

- Half of all children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition.

- One in ten children don’t reach their 10th birthday.

And while its biodiversity is extraordinary, it’s also under severe threat. More than 80% of Madagascar’s forests have been lost due to illegal logging, mining, and widespread deforestation — often by people who simply have no other way to cook, farm, or survive.

This rapid loss of habitat means many species, like the Verreaux’s sifaka, are now critically endangered.

Why Money for Madagascar?

When I returned home from that first trip, I found myself wondering: Who’s actually doing anything to help?

That’s when I came across Money for Madagascar (MfM) — and I’ve been volunteering with them on and off ever since.

MfM does so much to support people and the environment, including:

- Providing shelter and care for orphaned and homeless children

- Supporting community-led forest conservation

- Responding to natural disasters with life-saving aid

- ...and loads more.

Please donate!

Shlepping 100km across the Peak District isn't going to be easy. I can feel the blisters already.

But it's nothing compared to the challenges facing Madagascar, nor the excellent work of MfM.

I've never fundraised before. So a donation to support me — no matter how small — would mean a LOT. It would not only keep me going on the walk but will directly fund MfM to continue their life-saving work in Madagascar.

Thank you for reading!

You can read more about Money for Madagascar’s work at: https://moneyformadagascar.org/