I’m reaching out to share something very personal — and a cause that’s become incredibly close to my heart.

At the end of last year, I lost my beloved dog Luna. She was more than just a pet — she was my best friend, my companion through life’s highs and lows, my source of daily joy. Luna passed away after a courageous year-long battle with kidney disease — a year she wasn’t supposed to have, but one she fought hard for. A year I’ll cherish forever.

Luna wasn’t just a dog — she was a light. Her love was unconditional, her energy infectious, and her presence healing. She made every day better, and reminded me, again and again, of the extraordinary gift that dogs bring into our lives: love without judgment, comfort without words, and loyalty beyond compare.

After her passing, I found myself still needing that connection — that joy. But I wasn’t ready to open my heart to a new dog just yet. So instead, I began volunteering at Acres Way, a local, family-run dog rescue centre in Thundersley.

What I saw there broke my heart — and inspired it too.

Acres Way has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs since 1995. They operate on sheer love, grit, and community support — and are constantly overwhelmed by the number of strays needing help across four local councils. Every dog they save is one more soul given a second chance at life.

Now, I want to give back in a bigger way.

This September, I’m running two marathons in two days — through the Atlas Mountains of Morocco — to raise money for Acres Way.

Why such a huge challenge? Because Luna was a fighter. She defied all odds to give me one more year — and I’m doing this in her honour.

And the mountains? In that final year, we did everything I ever dreamed of doing with her — except climb a mountain. So now, I’ll run up two of them, for her.

But I can’t do this alone.

I’m asking you — from the deepest part of my heart — to consider donating to support this mission. Every single pound goes directly to Acres Way, helping them pay for vital vet care, shelter, and the chance to find a loving home for a dog who desperately needs one.

In May alone, their vet bills reached £6,000. That’s the scale of need — and the impact your donation can have.

If Luna touched your heart even a little through this story, I hope you’ll help her legacy live on — by helping other dogs get their second chance too.

Please also consider sharing this with anyone who loves dogs, believes in second chances, or just wants to make the world a little kinder.

Thank you so much 🐶 🙏