I first heard of The Azaylia Foundation through Ash and Safiyya. I saw the journey they went through with Azaylia, and even though we had never met, I cried with them the day Azaylia passed away. From a distance, I watched the challenges, the fundraising and the lives being changed, and I was in awe of these strangers on the internet.

Then I was asked if I’d give up my time to perform at the 5-year anniversary of the Foundation, and I leapt at the opportunity to help. After just a few short hours, I found myself immersed in a community dedicated to helping some of the most vulnerable children and their families facing cancer.

I met Ashley and Safiyya, and these strangers from the internet who I had cried with, I now sang with, danced with and shared their vision to do everything they can to help children battling cancer. I even had the honour of singing “When You Believe” with Safiyya, a song she would sing to Azaylia each night.

Every year in the UK, around 1,900 children are diagnosed with cancer, yet childhood cancer receives less than 3% of UK cancer research funding. The Azaylia Foundation is dedicated to providing crucial family support, championing the voices of patients and families, and helping children access treatment options that may not otherwise be available to them.

So when Lynsey invited me to join the team on a 100km trek through the Sahara Desert to raise money for The Azaylia Foundation, again, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

I don’t think there is a greater opportunity in life than the opportunity to sacrifice something of yourself for others in their time of need.

I’m not an athlete, and I know there will be times throughout this challenge when I’ll want to quit. But any pain or struggle I may face during those 100km is nothing compared to what these incredibly brave children and their families go through every single day.

Every mile I walk across the Sahara is for the children and families facing challenges far greater than any desert trek.

My fundraising target is £3,000. If you’re able to donate anything at all, I would be forever grateful. And if you can’t donate, sharing this and helping us spread the word means just as much.

Let’s Go Champ