Support Roberta's 100K Sahara Trek for Race Against Blood Cancer

Hello! I’m Roberta.

Yes it is true! In November, I will be taking on an incredible challenge—trekking 100 kilometers across the Sahara Desert to raise funds for Race Against Blood Cancer. It’s going to be a physically and mentally demanding journey, but it’s nothing compared to what those fighting blood cancer go through every single day. As part of my training and commitment to this cause I decided to also run at the Saucony London 10K in July. I must be mad but I have my lovely friend Anna running with me and she will support The Wren Project a charity where she provides listening support for people living with autoimmune disease. Come and cheer for us, we will probably be some of the last ones but hey it will be my very first 10k!!

Why Am I Doing This?

I have always believed in pushing myself beyond my comfort zone but I have always been scared of not being good enough or strong enough so this challenge represents more than just endurance—it’s about resilience, community, and making a difference. Also supporting this cause is quite personal to me. Blood cancer affects thousands of families and I never expected to be as close to me as I really wanted to. The work that Race Against Blood Cancer does is invaluable in providing support, research and hope. I will be trekking alongside wonderful people in particular with my friend Jacob Knox-Hooke, fellow Bounds Greener. He is Chair of Trustees at RABC, go and check the amazing work he does. He made me realise that there is so much that we need to learn about diseases that affect more and more people around us and how together we all can make a difference. Please please share, read, talk and help.

A Bit About Me

I was born in western Sicily and came to London in 1998, seeking a different path in life. Over the years, I’ve worked in a series of jobs and made friends for life along the way and now, alongside my husband Sam and our two kids, I run Hot Milk, our beloved neighborhood café. It’s not just a coffee shop; it’s a place where people connect, share stories, and feel at home. Our journey with Hot Milk has been filled with challenges, but also immense joy and purpose. I love bringing people together, whether it’s through food, community, or in this case, an important cause.

How You Can Help

I need your support to make this trek count! Every donation will go directly to Race Against Blood Cancer, funding life-saving research and providing support to those in need. Whether you can give a little or a lot, every contribution makes a difference.

Please Donate.

There will be lots of events organised alongside Jacob and the Hot Milk crew till NOV to help raise funds so please keep checking this space for more info. So for now I will be carrying on with my training. Running is definitely not my favourite things to do but I tend to focus my mind on the time I will get to see thousands of stars in the night sky, possibly massaging my feet and thinking what on earth am I doing but probably feeling so small but also so alive in the middle of nowhere and lucky to be in this world.

But that’s not the only way you can help! My work to help funds kids in schools still continues daily.

Our Hot Milk coffee subscription is another way we give back. Through the sale of our coffee, we support underprivileged children by providing essentials like food, after school activities and school supplies—helping them feel equal to their peers and ensuring they have a brighter future. When you subscribe, you’re not just getting great coffee delivered, you’re directly supporting a social initiative that changes lives. Please go check Hot Milk Cafe website for more info.

Your generosity means the world to me and to the countless individuals and families impacted by blood cancer.

Thank you for believing in this cause and supporting me on this journey! Let’s make a difference together.

With love and determination, Roberta

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.