About the Marathon Des Sables

The Marathon des Sables (MdS) is a 6 day / 230km endurance race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, normally taking place at the end of March / beginning of April.

During this time the competitors (myself included!) have to carry all food, cooking equipment, survival equipment, etc over ground ranging from sand dunes to uneven rocky ground in temperatures upto 120°F.

Why I'm running the Marathon des Sables

I'm running the 2010 Marathon des Sables to raise money for the Future Light Children's home in Thailand. The name of the charity in the UK is "The Acorn Overseas' Charity for Children".

It's a charity that I know personally, knowing the director, Natasha Whiting. She and her colleagues look after 41 displaced and orphaned children in the town of Mae Sot. The home was started in 2006 with children who were begging underneath the town's bridge and it's grown from there.

Over the past year I've been taking an increasing interest in the home and have realised how a small gesture makes a huge difference to the children. My family has sent clothes and toys to Mae Sot to children who have never had such things before. Similarly, the home runs on a shoestring budget - of about £550 a month - where an extra few pounds can dramatically improve the childrens' food, clothing and accommodation.

So, rather than raise money for a large, high profile charity, I chose this one; for me it's about making the biggest difference.

If you want to support me, please send cheques made out to 'The Acorn Overseas Charity for Children' to:

Box Cottage
Walkley Lane
Nailsworth, GL6 0SR

Thank you

Events I am competing in

Marathon des Sables 2010

Links

• www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
• www.facingafrica.org - Helping to cure and prevent NOMA
• www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
• www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)