Raised so far: £13,321.50
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My story

 

16th January 2008

As thirty approaches a nagging sense of desperation has hit us, that we want to do something truly worthwhile for charity, while also providing us with a bit of a challenge! The problem is that we have been bragging and dining out on doing the Marathon des Sables, reputedley the toughest foot race in the World, for years in our favourite watering holes.  So it seems only natural that we kill two birds with one stone, accept the challenge and go do some sand running.

The race itself is held in Morocco at the end of March/beginning of April and is approximately 150 miles, carrying all that we need on our backs (except the tent.)  It is run in the desert where the temperatures regularly reach around 120 degrees Fahrenheit and is run over six days.

After a fair amount of thought we have both decided to run for Great Ormond Street Hospital.  This place has previously done the both of us, along with many others, a huge service.  They helped Oli through a very difficult patch when he was born a bit early - about the only time he has been early in his life.  Much less dramatically, but still hugely important, they helped Alex with his dyslexia with learning strategies to overcome the problems he faced.  In short without their help in our lives, one of us may well have not been here and the other would not have been able to achieve the things he has.  We both owe them alot for helping us become the people we are today.

We appreciate that there are many worthy causes in the world and there are many requests to support them.  It is for that reason that we have decided to try and do something that is truly difficult.  We fully expect to be a mess by the end of it having given it everything and I truely believe that it will only be our friendship that will get us through.  For that reason we would like to say thank you for considering supporting us.

There are of course costs involved in the race but this is no holiday! We need to raise £5,000 to pay for flights, accomodation (tents), food, water and emergency medical support throughout the race, which we will hopefully not need! We will be paying for half of these costs ourselves.

Great Ormond Street have said a third of what is raised can contribute to costs, so please be aware that some funds will be used for this purpose. We will also be running a number of fundraising events, so look out for them. 

Please also remember if you are a UK tax payer to give gift aid, it costs you nothing but means GOSHCC can reclaim the tax.

Alex and Oli

i wish i could say it sounds fun. Donation by Blondie 19/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Make sure you carry a Westham flag in your bag. Donation by Robyn Putter 19/03/08  

£100.00

best of luck...you'll need it! Donation by Sarah and Chris Knight 19/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

So much luck to you boys....wow x Donation by Anna B 18/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck you guys - sounds amazing Donation by Charlie Brooksbank 18/03/08  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

when all strength has desertes you just remmber you're dune a great thing for charity - good luck lads! Donation by Chris Millward 18/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Are you insane?! Good luck!! Donation by Juliet 18/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Have fun and good luck! :-) Donation by Becca 18/03/08  

£10.00

Good Luck both.... Donation by Martin & Kryssie 17/03/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck lads. Compeed and Vaseline is all you'll need Donation by Costa 17/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Didn't Lawrence use a camel? Donation by Ben & Jacqueline Sutton 17/03/08  

£100.00

one pound for every blister... Donation by tony solomon 14/03/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

I wish I was running with you.....actually that's a complete lie!! Donation by Ed Farrell 14/03/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

You two are truly bonkers xx Donation by Tara 12/03/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good Luck Donation by Geoffrey Vos 12/03/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

I hope you don't die in the desert... Donation by Stephen Ford 10/03/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Thanks to PRISM for their expletives over a month, you can now swear as much as you like Donation by PRISM Swear Box 10/03/08  

£90.00 + £25.38 Gift Aid

Best of luck Oli Donation by Lucie Clatworthy 10/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You are both nuts! Good luck!!! Donation by Sharon Simpson (Neill) 09/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I'll be thinking of you...love to hear how it goes! xx Donation by Sara Davenport 09/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

A wonderful accomplishment Donation by charlotte v smith 06/03/08  

£200.00

Break a leg lads! Donation by Iain+Cat 06/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Great stuff walshie... all the very best for it Donation by jojo Thompson 06/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

It is soooooooo hot! Donation by Peanut and Wrinkle 06/03/08  

£173.80

Keep on runnin' and good luck Donation by Delmar Morgan family 05/03/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck! I'm glad it's you not me. Donation by Bryony Whipp 04/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck - what an amazingly crazy thing to do! Donation by Christine Blissett 04/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Oli, and just as it was starting to get really busy on UCL.....any excuse - but good effort all the same Donation by simon meehan 03/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Run you crazy Cat!! Donation by emma logue 03/03/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

I'm sure those Inspector Gadget limbs will help you both through the desert! Great effort gents! Donation by Tim Nicholson 03/03/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £7,446.50
  Offline donations: £5,875.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,647.46

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