2024 has been a difficult year. In March, Georgina and Alexandra lost their mum, and Mike lost his wife, Maria (Ree) Salzmann.

Mike and Ree are Aussie ex-pats and have built the most wonderful community and Scottish family over the best part of two decades living in Galloway. I cannot put into words the devastating loss Ree's sudden passing has had, not only for her loved ones, but on the community at large.

Ree owned the award winning Fig & Olive Cafe in Stranraer, a culmination of her many years as a trained chef and business owner, catering a multitude of events throughout the region. You could often hear Ree laughing before seeing her, and when you did clock each other, she'd embrace you with the warmest hug and a real excitement that she got to share that particular moment with you.

Moments, we all have them and we all let them pass by, or choose to savour them. In her life, Ree had mastered living presently and the ongoing act of loving those around her with an extended grace and kindness so unique to her. That legacy completely comes through both of her wonderful daughters, who have had an unbelievable strength to face each moment since Ree passed, and still find laughter, comfort and joy in some of the hardest ones.

In May 2025, Georgina and a small team of Ree's loved ones, including myself as a family friend, will climb to the highest point in the UK, Ben Nevis, in order to raise funds for The UK Sepsis Trust.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs, with the immune system going into overdrive. There is no single sign or diagnostic test, and sepsis is indiscriminate: while it primarily affects very young children, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions, it can sometimes be triggered in those who are otherwise fit and healthy. Sepsis always starts with an infection, such as chest infections or UTIs. It is not known why some people develop sepsis in response to these common infections whereas others don’t.

The UK Sepsis Trust works to educate healthcare professionals to recognise and treat sepsis promptly, but we also need the public to know when to Just Ask: Could it be Sepsis?

Reaching the highest point in Britain will be a moment to reflect on the many chapters of Ree's life, the unlimited sunshine she brought with her, and the unbearable loss she leaves behind. We hope that through raising much needed funds, more people will be rightly diagnosed with sepsis or given the resources to ask their doctor if their symptoms might be sepsis. This will mean that even after her passing, Ree and the love and community she created will have the ability to have continued positive effect on people's lives.