Earlier this afternoon my phone sprang into life made a sound like a coin falling into a jar and up popped a message to tell me that I had a donation on my Just Giving page. This has happened countless times over the last 18 months, but today it was very special - one of the ladies who is coming to Kenya donated to my Just Giving page to help me reach my £10,000 target.

I am overwhelmed that someone who is also coming on this trip and has her own fundraising to worry about has helped me to get to my target and also that after 18 months of fundraising, organising events, begging for sponsorship and otherwise annoying all my friends and family I have finally reached my own personal target.

There is a reason I decided to take part in this event, it did it because of a very special lady. It was her who inspired me to sign up and to take on the challenge to try and make a differece. She is not with us anymore, but I know she would have been so excited to see me reach this target and so proud of what I have achieved. Miss you Mand x x x