In two weeks I'll be running across the desert between two of the refugee camps that are home to 165,000 people...

Why? Because I am angry, saddened and frustrated that the people of Western Sahara are still living in camps in the harsh Algerian desert. This year marks 40 years of exile.

Some of you may remember that I did this run 6 years ago to build a recording studio, providing skills-training and opportunities for cultural expression that are otherwise scarce.

In the last year huge swathes of the camps have been dessimated by floods, destroying the homes of 25,000 people, closing schools and ruining food aid on which the Saharawi people rely. This year we are fundraising to rebuild homes and livelihoods.

Sandblast are a tiny charity doing great work - diverting every penny they raise to promoting the voices and visions of the Saharawi through the arts - their website has a lot more info: http://www.sandblast-arts.org/

I am coming to this fundraising effort very late - and am thrilled that at the last minute I am able to take part. I hope the training so far and the panic, (frankly!), will keep me going over the distance.

If you are able to support Sandblast by sponsoring me or giving directly I would be incredibly honoured and grateful. If you can please dig deep, and quick ;)

Annette xx

PS. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.