Inspired by the courage of an eight-year-old who died of brain cancer, a Berkshire woman is set to traverse the scorching Sahara Desert in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
As part of our Trek Sahara 2025 challenge next March, Hariette Small will cover 50km of sun-baked plains in honour of Jasmine Freeman, known to many as Jasmine the Warrior Princess. Jasmine, a classmate of Hariette’s child, was just seven years old when she was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma (DIPG). She died nine months later, in January of this year, despite her parents (Anthony and Jakki, pictured below) raising more than £240,000 to help fund a clinical trial abroad.
Hariette, a friend of the Freeman family, hosted her own Walk of Hope at Virginia Water on Sunday 28th September, as part of our annual national event. The Walk, which saw Hariette’s family, Jasmine’s father, and a number of students and teachers from Jasmine‘s school come together to raise money and awareness of the disease, served as a warm-up for Hariette, ahead of her desert adventure.
As part of Trek Sahara 2025, Hariette will navigate the ever-changing dunes of the Moroccan desert, donning a pink tutu in honour of Jasmine. “Jasmine was such a character,” said Hariette. “She was the sassiest little girl who was always smiling, always dancing and always laughing.
“During every hospital appointment, or when Jasmine was going back and forth to the Netherlands for treatment on trial, her incredible spirit never dipped. Even towards the end, she was still fiercely independent; she was a true inspiration. During the trek I will channel my inner Jasmine and keep going, because that’s the attitude she always had.”
As part of her fundraising, Hariette has called for the Government to follow through on its pledge to invest £40 million into research. Since the promise was made in 2018, only a little over 25% is in the hands of researchers trying to find a cure.
You can support Hariette and donate to us via her JustGiving page.
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Published 17th October 2024.