In October 2024, Michelle was buzzing with excitement. After years of dreaming she was finally preparing for the trip of a lifetime — a dream holiday to South Africa planned for the following month. As a responsible step before travelling, she booked a routine check-up to renew her prescription for the contraceptive pill.

She never expected what happened next.

At that check-up, Michelle’s blood pressure was alarmingly high. Her GP ordered a few more tests, just to be safe. Those tests turned into more appointments, more scans, more questions and then the devastating diagnosis: kidney failure.

Michelle, a vibrant, active woman in her early 40s, went from planning a safari adventure to planning dialysis and specialist consultations. Her kidneys were barely functioning. The trip was cancelled, and instead of boarding a plane, Michelle was suddenly facing the reality of needing a transplant.

The diagnosis has been a huge emotional devastation and Michelle’s life has changed overnight with regular hospital visits, strict diets, and the worry of finding a donor. She’s doing everything she can to stay strong, but she needs help.

So during the month of May Michelle and I are walking an ultra marathon to raise money for Kindey Care UK

Michelle is warm, kind, and has always been there for others, now it’s our turn to be there for her. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly to the charity which will help a long way towards their work supporting kidney patients across the UK

Please donate what you can and share Michelle’s story. Let’s help her get through this and one day, make that dream holiday a reality.