So… you may remember in 2021 I did a 365-workouts-in-365 days challenge and raised money for MAGPAS.

I had a year off in 2022 and my goodness, my body, my clothes and the scales are NOT happy about it. It appears I only achieve consistency with the aid of financial incentive!

So, starting on January 1st 2023 my next 365-in-365 will begin!! This year I’ll be raising money for the Catherine Bullen Foundation. Catherine and I went to school together. Catherine studied medicine at the University of Bristol.

Catherine had an elective placement in her fifth year, which was to gain medical experience, and she chose to do so in Africa. She left England on 9 August 2002, spending time in Dubai and South Africa, before going on a safari in Namibia. This was to have been followed by a placement in Zambia and then Tanzania. Finally, after a few days rest in Dar-es-Salaam she was to return home on 25 October 2002. It was to be the journey of a lifetime.

On 21 August 2002 she commenced the safari in Namibia with the first port of call being the Waterberg Plateau. The next day she complained of feeling ill, but seemed to recover that night. The following day she deteriorated and that evening it was decided to get her to a hospital. On the way her situation became critical and her companions stopped at a medical clinic at Oshivelo to seek help. However, it was too late and Catherine died on 23 August 2002 from severe gastro-enteritis.

Catherine’s parents have tirelessly fundraised since, setting up the Catherine Bullen Foundation in her name, setting up a clinic in Oshivelo her name, and refurbishing the local primary school amongst other things. Catherine’s mum has even received an MBE!

I often wonder what great things Catherine would have achieved and this is my little way of saying thanks for being my friend back in the day 🙂