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<p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not one to shy away from challenges throughout my life, I am excited to be taking part in the Marathon Des Sables 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have waited several years to get a place in what some say is ‘the toughest foot race on earth’ and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am delighted that my challenge will also help raise funds for local people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am part of the legal team within Maersk Oil and Cornerstone have been our charity of the year since 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I discovered they were planning to raise funds for a new residential development and create homes for people with disabilities it was clear to me that I wanted my challenge to support their efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I not only hope my challenge is a success and I make it 'home to where my heart' is but I also aim to really kick-start this fundraising appeal and make a difference to my local community.</span></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will have to prepare all my own food throughout the race despite having run through mid-day temperatures of up to 120F, as well as 15 - 20% of the distance being completed in sand dunes.</span></span></span>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The Marathon Des Sables covers 243km/151 miles run over 6 days - equivalent to 5.5 regular marathons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to that, I will have to carry everything I will need for the duration of the race in a rucksack. Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint. </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">The heat, distance and rubbing will inevitably take its toll on my feet with blisters being a major concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The MDS is not about running marathons - it’s about endurance and testing individual’s mental and physical stamina in an ultra extreme environment.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">It would give me an enormous boost during training and during the event itself if you would sponsor my chosen charity, Cornerstone. They aim to raise £50k for a home for life so please help me raise my target. I really appreciate any donation you can make and many thanks for your contribution.</span></span></p>
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