In November, I’ll be walking 100km across the Sahara Desert to raise money for Maggie’s Centre Newcastle — in memory of my incredible mam, Pauline.

Last summer, our world was turned upside down when my mam was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour. The prognosis was devastating. But after surgery, we clung to hope — believing, wishing, that she might be the exception, the one who would beat the odds.

Before Mam could begin radiotherapy, she developed pneumonia and was admitted to hospital. Even then, we remained hopeful. We believed she’d recover, start treatment, and that we’d spend time together at Maggie’s Centre — a place we’d heard so many good things about.

While Mam was in hospital in Sunderland, we took a trip to the Maggie’s Centre in Newcastle. From the moment we walked in, we were met with warmth, compassion, and care. We knew Mam would have loved it there. It felt like a safe haven — a place of calm and support during one of life’s hardest storms.

But time wasn’t on our side. Mam never made it to radiotherapy. She never got to visit Maggie’s. Just eight weeks after her diagnosis, she passed away — leaving behind an enormous hole in our lives.

What carries me through now is the memory of her strength and her endless care for others. Throughout her life, Mam dedicated herself to looking after her family, her friends, and her patients in the NHS. She was the heart of everything.

I know she would have loved the work Maggie’s does — supporting people with cancer and their families with compassion, dignity and hope. And though she never got the chance to experience it herself, I want to help make sure others can.

So I’m taking on this challenge, through the Sahara, to raise funds for Maggie’s Newcastle - for all the people who need them, and in honour of the most loving and brave mam anyone could ask for.

If you can, please support me on this journey. Every donation will help Maggie’s continue to be there for others, just as they were ready to be there for us.