My Story

In September 2026 I will be taking part in the Dalai Lama Himalayan Trek to raise vital funds for The Albion Foundation. 

I will join a group of fundraisers who will be trekking over 80km through the rugged landscape of the foothills of the Himalayas, reaching heights of over 3000m and camping along the way, all to raise vital funds for The Albion Foundation to continue their award winning community work.

Sandwell is an area that faces numerous challenges that impacts the lives of its 328,000 + residents as the 12th most deprived local authority in the country.

The Albion Foundation uses the power of football to make a measurable, positive difference - growing and fulfilling the potential in local people of all ages, gender, ethnicity and economic backgrounds.

In practical terms, they provide an educational and sporting opportunity to disadvantaged people across all age ranges within the Sandwell area. This encompasses activities such as football coaching for two year olds, all the way through to the Memories group, a place where dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers can meet to recall memories of the past.

In between these two areas, opportunities include women and girls football, disability sports sessions (including powerchair football, blind football and cerebal palsy teams), and educational opportunities. Their pioneering community programme also extends to the Hawthorns Hub, where they welcome the local community to The Hawthorns on a weekly basis for an afternoon or chat and friendly faces to lessen loneliness and isolation.