Who am I doing this for?
In short Mencap - they the voice of learning disability. Everything they do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability and their families and carers. 

Everyday you take for granted the faculties and abilities you and I have as a human without thinking about it, everyday. Imagine if you were suddenly treated as 'different' and did not have very much control over your life and faced challenges and prejudice every day.

Just sit and think for a moment... By doing this challenge i can raise a much greater awareness for the charity, and you can help me by donating. It would mean so much and make a huge difference.

About the Marathon Des Sables
Well, what can i say man wasn't designed to run 6 consecutive marathons over 6 days carrying a 15kg rucksack, over sand dunes, mountains and plains. The body isn't designed for this, I know at the time of writing this missive mine isn't just yet!

Running with complete self sufficiency, navigating by yourself, carrying your own water, day temperatures hitting 50C and dropping to zero at night - no wonder this is billed at the toughest footrace on the planet.

Why would i want to do this
Good question, right now it seems like a fantastic way to get fit, maybe that notion will evaporate quicker than my first bead of sweat as i hit the first sand dune. Its the sheer adventure that drives me to this, the romantic notion of running across the Sahara and completing what seems to be the impossible. I have a great teacher to help me over the next 15 months, he will be putting me through some extreme training schemes as devised by an Ex MDS Runner (Big thanks to Harley)

- running up hills lot and lots of very steep hills
- fell running somewhere ludicrously difficult
- running with rucksacks full of weights
- climbing thousands of steps
- running on the beach - in lose sand!!
- running 5 marathons, doing a triathalon and two ultra's

Yikes!

Ok, so now you know how fit you need to be to run the MDS, you can appreciate the pain and commitment I will be putting my self through - so please please please share my pain from the comfort of your computer and donate some pounds or for my journey to hell and back!

Sponsorship
If you would like to sponsor my epic adventure with your brand I would glady take rucksacks, running shoes, running tops, portable camcorders, watches, nutriontional supplements or energy bars - anything that will help you promote your brand in such harsh desert conditions and help me get through the 6 days of the 'toughest footrace on earth'

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Mencap gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now! And if you can guess where i will come in the 700 or so contestants for the race you will win a prize - put your guess into the comments :)

You can follow me on my blog at http://www.acrossthesahara.com

Thank you so much
Ande