On December 23rd 2015, my dearest friend, Tara, passed away after a short but hugely courageous battle with bowel cancer.  It was truly, one of the most horrendous things I have had to witness - watching her suffer over the last couple of weeks and then eventually having to make the decision to stop all treatment. Throughout it all, Tara managed to keep her wicked sense of humour but above all it was her determination and courageous spirt that shone through and completely left us all in awe.  It feels totally fitting that Tara's family have launched a campaign to raise enough money to buy a RNLI lifeboat and have it named after her.  She was a keen sailor and spent many happy holidays with her parents on the sea.  It will be so special for her husband, James and her two gorgeous children, Eleanor and Edward to watch the launch of a lifeboat which will be, no doubt, involved in saving many lives.

In 2000, Tara and I decided to have one last exciting adventure together before getting married to our prospective fiancés.  We decided to trek across Namibia  for (ironically) Cancer Research and had many happy memories dragging ourselves across the desert in 40 degree heat - it was seriously tough but great fun.  

So...it seems I shall do the next challenge on my own.... I've decided to walk (not run!) 2 marathons back to back in the Sahara - I fly to Morrocco on 20th October.  I'm told it will be pretty hot out there and I'll have to camp out in a Berber tent for one night (thankfully only one!) I've been training quite a bit, accompanied by my dog, Perky - 6 hours walking gets rather boring on your own, believe me!

Please, please, please sponsor me - it doesn't matter how little!  It would be so wonderful to have this lasting tribute to Tara and incredible for her children to know that their mummy will never be forgotten.

Thank You!