3 challenges before I’m 50!

As some of you may be aware I am rapidly approaching the big 50 and after having the most emotionally challenging and distressing year I have decided to attempt three challenges.

These three challenges will firstly both physically and mentally challenged me but also hopefully raise awareness of a charity that has helped me turn my life around, from someone who felt a huge burden on their family and who attempted suicide twice last April and being very ill in hospital to someone who has been taught what repeated trauma can do to a child’s brain and how that affects everything I do, behave and react as an adult.
The reason behind these traumas was I was a victim of child sexual abuse.
I kept silent about this for many years due to the fear, shame and guilt. I eventually admitted to the events of my past and after a very traumatic trial I received justice in 2014.

Fast forward to 2021 where I eventually reached out to Revival-Wiltshire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

This amazing charity has brought me back from the brink and a victim to someone who is a survivor and is finally on the bumpy road to recovery.

In total I received six half-hour sessions of a safety and stabilisation course Then an intensive 24 week 1+hr sessions with a sexual violence specialist counsellor.
These two courses have given me the skills to deal with triggers, anxiety, fear, shame, trust issues and forgiveness issues.

I know that this is the only the start of my journey through a diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder which was caused by the events of my childhood.

These sessions cost between £60 and £100 each and I have received 30 of them but I haven’t had to pay for any of them. They are funded through grants and some government funding but to provide some of their work they rely on fundraising and throughout the pandemic this has been very difficult and the waiting list for these therapies has grown.

I would like your help through sponsorship and donations as I complete the following challenges to raise the much needed funds to help people like me receive the help and skills they desperately need and deserve to start their road to recovery too.

My plan is to complete over several days -
A swim in the sea on Boxing Day without a wet suit, for one minute for every degree of the water temperature and to swim as far as possible in that time.

A cycle ride from my home to Salisbury Cathedral which is a total of 25.2 miles.
Then finally a 10 mile cross country walk.

These are activities that I use to ground and calm myself when I get distressed and anxious so please consider donating any amount however small either by distance or by the individual challenge or by the completion of all three challenges.

Thank you for my close friends and family have been supporting me during my therapy journey but also to the wonderful people at Revival.

Thank you
Sarah Muir x

P.s please check out this charity’s website revival-wiltshirerasac.org.uk to what they do x