Story
<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p>
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<p>For those that don't know, which I am sure is not very many by now, I am going to be running the 27th Marathon Des Sables in April 2012, "the toughest footrace on earth". In short it is 151 miles in 7 days with the added bonus of having to carrying everything I need for the entire race on my back.</p>
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<p>For more information about my training progress which includes a number of other events please visit my blog at <a href="http://dessert2desert.blogspot.com">http://dessert2desert.blogspot.com</a></p>
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<p>In total after completing these events and the Marathon Des Sables, I will have run just over 12 marathons in 12 months.</p>
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<p>So, why on earth I am I doing this?</p>
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<p>I am doing all of this in aid of Mencap. In short, everyday Mencap supports thousands of people with learning disabilities, and their families and carers, to lead a full and valued life.</p>
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<p>I am aiming to raise of £10,000 and to do this I will very much need all of your help which in return I will endure blood, sweat and most probably tears to endure the 151 mile desert race!</p>
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<p>It should also be explained how people will directly benefit from your donation. The answers are numberous but to summarise:</p>
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<ul>
<li>£250 could pay for 16 children who cannot speak to attend a special workshop where they can learn the Makaton sign language. </li>
<li>£570 could pay for the 16-week course we run for volunteers to train them to provide advice and support to families who have children with a learning disability. </li>
<li>£1,000 could provide a specialist one-to-one carer for two months, helping someone with a learning disability get the support they really need.</li>
<li>£2,000 could provide 250 families, who have just found out that their new baby has a learning disability, with all the advice they need.</li>
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<p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
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<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>