After a stressful volcanic week, debating whether the Challenge would go ahead, Emma and I were thrilled to call everyone on Wednesday morning to tell them to start packing. Elisa and Darcie have already arrived and the news is that the weather is hot!

The Challenge will begin on Sunday when we will spend the day visiting the Rebecca Sieff Centre to learn how the Centre operates and to decide who will be painting and who will be gardening for the first few days. We will then visit the Susy and Freddie Bradfield Centre for dinner and to hear a choir perform. Then back to Beit Heuss, the WIZO hostel where we are staying for an early night!

Everyone is feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves but thrilled that the ash has not got the better of us. We are all looking forward to 5 days of hard work and female bonding!

We have raised around £35,000 so far and the money is still coming in. Roll on Sunday and a truly inspiring trip...