Vanessa Kemsley

I lead an incredibly busy life as a full-time working mum, juggling the demands of a busy household that includes two young children, a dog, a cat, and more houseplants than I care to admit. Much of my time is spent meeting the needs of those around me, and somewhere along the way I've unintentionally lost touch with some of the people I care about most.

I often see a message from a family member or friend and think, "I'll reply as soon as I get a chance." Unfortunately, hours can quickly turn into days, then weeks, and sometimes even months. It's never because I don't care. Quite the opposite. I care deeply about the people in my life and never want them to feel ignored or forgotten.

Reaching out after such a long gap can feel surprisingly daunting. Even though I know my loved ones understand how busy life can be, I still feel a sense of guilt and anxiety about letting so much time pass.

I would like to take on this challenge because, while it may not be physically demanding, it is genuinely emotionally and mentally challenging for me. It requires me to push through discomfort, reconnect with people, and make those relationships a priority again.

I also recognise that, in the grand scheme of things, this challenge may seem trivial compared to the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness. My struggles are not comparable to the hardships of living without stable housing. For that reason, I want to participate not only to challenge myself personally, but also to raise awareness of a cause that affects people facing far greater difficulties than I do.