As if hiking in the Lake District over the Easter holidays with my other half, 3 kids and 2 dogs wasn’t enough of a challenge… I’ve just agreed to climb a mountain in Morocco too!

On June 14th - 18th, I’ll be taking on Mount Toubkal (the highest peak in North Africa) as part of a fundraising challenge for Newcastle United Foundation 🩵

This is well and truly outside my comfort zone….. Right now, I’m juggling full-time work, three children, and trying to rebuild my fitness from scratch. So signing up to trek a mountain like this is both exciting and terrifying in equal measure and exactly why I said yes.

Spending time in the Lake District recently, celebrating my youngest turning 2, has reminded me how much I love being active outdoors (even when it’s chaos) and this is something that will really push me physically, mentally, and emotionally.

This challenge is about proving to myself that it’s never too late to start again, and showing my kids (and students) what it looks like to commit to something really hard and see it through to the end.

I’m doing this as part of a fabulous team supporting Newcastle United Foundation, a charity that uses the power of football to connect, motivate and inspire people in our region. Through community, education, health and wellbeing, and sports programmes delivered across Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Gateshead and County Durham, they strive to improve physical and mental health, boost learning and career prospects and provide life-changing opportunities for everyone – no matter their goals in life. I work closely with the Foundation as part of my role at Newcastle College and I’m very proud to be doing this with them.

Every donation, big or small, will help support that work and make a real difference.

Training has already started… and I’m currently alternating between feeling super motivated and questioning all my life choices 😆 but I’m committed to seeing this through to the summit!

If you’re able to support, I’d be so grateful. Whether that’s a donation, words of encouragement or company for a training walk - it all means so much 🙏

Thank you 💛