Story and updates!

In July this year I will be turning 40... I cant quite believe it if I am honest, and wanted a way to mark the year.

I have been dithering about this for the past month or so, but have now convinced myself that I should do something before too much more of the year goes by. So I have set myself 21 challenges to complete from the 1st of February through to the end of 2021, and by making them public and linking them to raising money, it will make the challenges official, and give me the motivation to do them.

With the aim of improving myself physically, mentally and emotionally, the challenges also push me outside my comfort zone, and will help me gain new skills and knowledge. I like many others have been working from home, homeschooling and not physically seeing people outside my household for sometime, and I now need to get moving, and do more!

Some challenges will be continuous throughout 2021, others I will set specific dates for during the year. I am very unfit, so some of the challenges are scary right now, and I need to buy a Hula Hoop... but I hope most of them will be fun and I hope to raise some money for four fabulous charities along the way.

Nightingale House Hospice - A fabulous hospice which cared for both my mum and dad toward the end of their lives. Nightingale helped me through two very difficult times, and do so for so many others in the region.

Cancer research UK - I like many, have known or know people close who are affected by cancer. The more research that can be done the higher the chances we can find ways to fight it.

Mind - Mental health matters, even more so during recent times, and Mind provide fantastic support for those in need. Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

NSPCC - The NSPCC do fantastic work, and now more than ever children need support and to be safe. The NSPCC work hard to prevent abuse, help rebuild children's lives and support families

I cant make one page with all the charities on it, so I have created four pages within one 'Team'. This means anyone wishing to donate can give any amount to any of the four charities. I would like to raise £1000 each for them by the end of the year, and I hope you can help me to do that.

The challenges are (in no particular order):

1.Run 100k in 40 days

2. Do 40k on bike in a day

3. Do 40 resolutions of a Hula Hoop

4. Do 200 skip jumps in 4 mins

5. Do 40 sit ups and 40 sec plank every day for 20 days

6. Learn to play the piano

7. Undertake 40 acts of random kindness

8. Organise and undertake a 24 hour Danceathon

9. Give up Haribo and all other sweets for 40 days

10. Learn to do a handstand and balance for 40 secs

11. Take 40 pictures which will make others smile

12. Stop biting my nails

13. Support 40 local businesses

14. Learn a shuffle dance and do it every day for 40 days

15. Read or listen to 40 books

16. Finish my creative colouring book ( 23 pages)

17. Do 4m steps (approx. 12,000 a day)

18. Do 4 short courses

19. Visit 40 cities/significant places... virtually

20. Raise £4000 for charity

21. Get 10 people to undertake challenges with me

All of my progress will be updated on the just giving pages, and on social media.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, any support you can give would be fantastic. Also as one of my challenges is to get others involved I would welcome you to join me on a challenge or two, so please drop me a line and I can add you to the Team :)

To date (nov) i have completed…

Next to come is the Danceathon!!!