**UPDATE**

I am now running the Paris Marathon on 7 April on behalf of Sandblast!

www.parismarathon.com

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Hi everyone!

This year, I'm going to be hitting the big Three-Oh, and I thought it was a good excuse to start doing something meaningful with my time here.

So I'm preparing to run a marathon in the Sahara in support of a human rights charity called Sandblast (charity number: 1115288). Known as the Sahara Marathon (not to be confused with the better-known Marathon des Sables) the marathon takes place in a small town called Tindouf, near the Morocco-Algeria border. It is an international marathon in aid of the Saharawi people, who have lived in refugee camps for over 35 years.

Why am I doing this?

This will be firstly a personal challenge for me as I have never run a full marathon before (just over a year ago, I had never even run 5 miles). In addition, I will have to adjust from training in freezing English snow, to running in 25 degree heat!

It is also a symbolic gesture in support of a people the world knows almost nothing about. This is about young people just like me who, through no fault of their own, found themselves born into a refugee camp in the middle of the desert, with no country to call "home", and no way to express their voice, pursue their dreams, or let the world know they are here.

One of the projects being set up by Sandblast aims to promote a local music industry in the Saharawi refugee camps, that can become internationally recognised and be a creative hub. In this way, the Saharawi people can use music to preserve their rich oral traditions, inspire the next generation of young people, and give a voice to their struggle.

I realise time is short, but I am going to try and get as close to my target as possible over the next few months! Anything you are able to give to support me in this challenge, whether it's £5 or £500 (or even a new pair of trainers), will be greatly appreciated! (Don't forget you can still sponsor me after the event has taken place.)

You can read all about the charity I'm supporting and the work they're doing, here:

http://www.sandblast-arts.org/

You can also read more about the marathon itself here:

http://www.saharamarathon.org/home/

Thanks so much to everyone for your support!

This event is much more than a simple race.
The route symbolically connects the three refugee camps of Smara, Auserd and ElAyoun, and leads runners through a desert which has been the home of refugees for 35 years.
Thanks to your effort and your concern for this issue, you have reawakened their hope, giving them the feeling of not being alone.

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