On Saturday (tomorrow), home-loving Julie Russell will be taking a giant leap outside her comfort zone when she takes on an epic trek for a charity very close to her heart.
Julie will be travelling to the deserts of Jordan to trek to the lost city of Petra to raise money for Keech Hospice.
She is taking on the challenge in memory of her son, Harry Tomas Russell, who died on 17 November 2015, aged just three.
The Bedfordshire hospice had played a huge part in supporting Harry during his short life and Keech means a great deal to the family.
Julie’s husband Mark – the man behind Bedford’s hugely successful Momacoca club nights – undertook a gruelling 250-mile bike ride last year in aid of the hospice, so, said Julie, it was her turn to take on a challenge.
”I started planning this about three years ago,” Julie told the Bedford Independent as she made her final preparations.
“Originally the aim was to walk the Great Wall of China, but due to Covid we had to change our plans. Trekking through the desert is definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone.”
If you’ve seen SAS: Who Dares Wins on Channel 4, you’ll have some idea of the terrain – and temperatures – that Julie is heading into.
“We’re being eased in with a four-hour trek in Amman, the capital of Jordan, on Sunday,” said Julie.
“But on Monday we head to Wadi Rum where they film SAS: Who Dares Wins. No matter how much training I do, I don’t think anything’s going to prepare me for the heat.”
Over the course of the week, Julie will take in sunset hikes, the incredible spectacle of the Lost City of Petra – “I’m hoping there’s so much to look at, that it will take our minds off the walking” – culminating in a final trek to the Dead Sea.
Joining Julie is her friend Christine, whose daughter was cared for by Keech Hospice a year after Harry died.
“Christine and I have been on similar journeys and Keech means so much to both of us,” said Julie.
“It’s really nice to be able to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with her in support of the charity and I know that Mark and our daughter Ella will be cheering me on.”
Also spurring Julie on is the knowledge that she’s managed to raise almost £8,500 for the charity that means so much to her and her family.
You can still sponsor Julie here.
Like many charities, the coronavirus pandemic hit Keech hard, losing out on much-needed income from sponsorship, charity events and general fundraising activities while the country has been in lockdown.
“Harry taught us so much in his short life, something I take with me every day,” said Julie.
“We made a promise that Harry will never be forgotten and his memory will live on in all we do. Well, this is just a little step on that journey.”
