Many people believe 40 years of age is great a milestone to reach – Lisa Rowland from Titchfield Common being one of them.
Lisa Rowland to complete 40 sports in 40 days for children's orphange the Lioness Cubs Home
But not so many aim to complete a gruelling challenge of testing 40 different sports in 40 days before their big birthday bash.
For Lisa, this huge fundraising effort with her three children is just a small way for her to give cash for orphaned children at the Lioness Cubs Home in Kenya.
The 39-year-old mum will complete about 40 minutes of each sport with children Anneliese, 10, Zachary, five, and four-year-old Evangeline before her birthday on January 29.
Sports lined up for her to complete include tai chi, badminton, racket ball, football, netball, sailing, windsurfing, squash, golf, marbles, swimming, ice-skating, table tennis, trampolining, horseriding and snooker.
“So many people aren’t as lucky as us,” said Lisa, who lives in Hunts Pond Road. “There is a child the same age as each of my children out there in the orphanage.
“I decided upon the Lioness Cubs Home after being inspired by a friend of mine who discovered the orphanage while on a holiday in Kenya a few years ago.
“She talked so passionately about the place and once I had a look on the website and saw the faces of the children I knew I had to get involved in some way. With three healthy children and living where we do it is great to remind ourselves how blessed we are.
Lisa Rowland will complete 40 sports in 40 days for charity
“I chose to do 40 sports in 40 days because I knew it would be a personal challenge both fitness wise and just fitting it in to an already busy life.
“I think as you reach milestones in your life it makes you realise how lucky we are to have what we do. I have never been sporty by any means and I would certainly like that to change so I am healthy in the next 40 years.
She hopes to raise £400 for the orphan charity as well as £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support, which has supported her work colleague at Empire cinema company in London who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Lisa added: “I like to set myself challenges and always want to lie on my death bed having had a full life for all the right reasons. If I can inspire one other person doing this that also would be wonderful.”
Sponsor her at www.justgiving.com/lisa-rowland.