<p>Hi Everyone,</p> <p>In a moment of madness just over 3 years ago, as I was feeling particularly unfit and in need of some motivation to do something sporty, I took the plunge and decided to put my name down for the 2012 Marathon des Sables.</p> <p>For those of you who haven't heard of this event, it's a 7 day, 151 mile race across the Sahara desert in southern Morocco, in temperatures of up to 40 degrees. To add to the (obvious) misery, competitors have to carry all food, cooking equipment, clothing, sleeping gear and medical kit which they will need for the 7 days, with only tents being provided by the organisers, along with water at varying intervals across the course.&nbsp;</p> <p>In theory it's quite a challenge, though I'm fairly confident that nothing can top the infamous "Lagan Steps" pre-season rugby session in the 1999-2000 season, so I figure I should be fine...</p> <p>As well as trying to convince myself I can still achieve things in the sporting arena, I'm also running to raise as much money as possible for a fantastic charity called the Moroccan Children's Trust.</p> <p>The Moroccan Children's Trust (MCT) is a London-based charity that works with young people and their communities in Taroudannt, in southern Morocco. MCT launched a Street Children Project in October 2010 in partnership with a Moroccan NGO (Groupe Maroc Horizons) to promote the welfare of children who live or work on the streets.<br><br>This project applies a holistic approach to overcome the challenges that push children towards street life. It does this through research and in-country social care and educational support, which include regular visits from social workers and a drop-in centre, homework sessions, language classes, a sports centre, and a pre-school. MCT also helps children to obtain identity documents and secure access to healthcare.</p> <p>The project has grown rapidly following in 16 months, due to its response to fulfill a need - Taroudannt and the southern Morocco region do not have an infrastructure of organisations established to help disadvantaged children living and/or working on the street.</p> <p>The MCT&nbsp;are not a large charity and any money which is donated really will make a difference and will mean so much to them.</p> <p>Thanks again for visiting my page and for your support!</p> <p>Conor.</p>