As I’m sure you remember from our last blog, we’ve been fundraising for Reuben’s Retreat by fighting our indulgences and giving up our favourite things for 40 days and 40 nights. It’s hardly been a picnic either! We Blue Bay folk are naturally creatures of comfort, so for several long weeks we’ve been living on the brink of tantrum. Last time you heard the trials and tribulations of Amy, Nicola, and Steph, and here are three more of the team who are rising to the challenge for Reuben

It’s been a few weeks since we started our stint of giving up our favourite things for 40 days and 40 nights in order to raise money for Reuben’s Retreat. They’ve been long weeks, full of cravings and wistful glances through the kitchen cupboards, but the Blue Bay team are a tough bunch at heart. We’re now the champions of a good cause, so everyone is doing their best to muscle through the hankerings, and our sights are firmly set on that £1,500 target. Here’s what some of the team have to say about their time of depravity, and why it’s worth the struggle

So, last week we held our end of year meeting (postponed from December due to various Mexico-based shenanigans), during which we launched Reuben's Retreat as our new charity partner. We're giving up our favourite things for 40 days and 40 nights (any resemblance to Lent is purely coincidental). We're a gluttonous bunch and this is no mean feat; between us we're giving up our beloved chocolate, sweets, cakes, crisps, take-aways, coffee, wine and even meat!

The children of South Africa's Mpumalanga Region are a truly resiliant and inspiring bunch. Following a trip to the area in November of 2011 I had the privilage of visiting a Pride 'n Purpose Virgin Unite Project at a village just outside the luxurious surroundings of Richard Branson's Ulusaba Game Reserve in Sabi Sands to help them paint a creche for the local children.

Well, thanks to some tremendous generosity we managed to almost double our target and raise an incredible £901.06 for Red Nose Day!