The Hospice is a special place to so many people. My family and friends have had personal experience of the care and humanity they bring on the darkest of days, and fundraising is vital to keep that going. I've been supporting Wigan & Leigh Hospice for a number of years now, and I'm genuinely grateful for everyone who has donated so far — but we need to keep going. It costs £13,000 a day just to keep their services running, and they rely on donations from people like you to do it.

In November 2026, I'm trekking across the Sahara Desert over a number of days, for a hospice that gives specialist care to over 1,000 local people a year, when it's needed most.

This one hits differently. Days of walking, with a lot of time and space in my own head, might make it the most mentally challenging thing I've done. It's also my first major challenge since I lost my Dad last year, and I'm hoping to draw on his memory to get me through it — including imagining him asking why I'm not doing it with a bag of sand on my back, like he'd have done.

Dad was incredibly proud of everything I did to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice. He used to hold his own raffles and events to help boost the fundraising too. This trek is for him as much as it's for them.

I'm aiming to raise £1,500. Every donation, big or small, helps me get through the sand — and helps the hospice keep that care there for families across Wigan and Leigh.

Thank you for reading this far, and thank you for anything you can give.