Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and for reading my story .

In March 25 , I will be taking part in an exciting and very challenging trek across a section of the Sahara Desert in support of CHAS - Children's Hospices Across Scotland .

CHAS is a charity which I have supported for most of my adult life, although this is the first big scale event I have committed to. I decided to embark on this challenge in order to raise funds for CHAS but also to raise awareness of the wonderful work they do.

Many of you will know I work with families whose children have complex needs. Over the years some of the families I have worked with, very sadly, have gone on to access supports from CHAS . At a time when they feel as if their world is ending, the team at CHAS has given them strength and supports to help them and their family cope with the most unimaginable future. CHAS funds two respite houses in Scotland, where the wonderful staff are committed to making sure that family time, however short , is filled with happiness and joy.

This is such a deserving charity and I really want to raise as much money as I can for them. Please visit their website for more details about the charity.

I have self-funded most of the costs of the trip, which involves flying to Morocco before trekking across dried up river beds, sun-baked plains and crossing many, many sand dunes before camping each night under the stars in Bedouin tents.

The trek will be challenging and physically demanding and I have began some fitness training already , although I won’t be able to emulate the stark contrast in night / day temperatures from 0 to 30 degrees!

I have also organised a PINK tribute night at the end of August and am planning a race night in October . The tribute night is a sell out and should be fun but please get in touch with me if you would like to buy tickets , horses or sponsor a race at the October event . Together hopefully we can smash my £1000 fundraising target.

Lesley x

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