It's that time of year again to dig into your pockets and sponsor an idiot to do something silly for a good cause! I have the distinct pleasure to be running the Marathon des Sables at the end of March, a cheeky 6 day,150 mile jolly across the Moroccan Sahara carrying all kit and food. If you want to know more, the website is at www.saharamarathon.co.uk
 
I am running with three like minded idiots, 2 fellow Commando Doctors and my best man (a Royal Marine who has been out with more doctors than the rest of us put together and so is an honorary medic), as part of a team imaginatively called "The Royal Marine Doctors".
 
I am running for the Devon Air Ambulance which does fantastic work serving an extremely rural county with a tortuous road network. It also saved my life a couple of years ago when my bees took a dislike to my ginger hair and decided to give me anaphylactic shock.

I hasten to add that none of the money donated goes towards our personal costs.
 
For those of you who have sponsored me before to do silly events or expeditions, I apologise to ask again but this one is a bit different, and has "epic chafe" written all over it. For those of you new to the "giving to charity" game, please get involved and give generously.

Finally, if you want to track our progress during the race, or send messages which will be printed out in the desert and delivered to our open sided but nevertheless increasingly smelly 8 man tents, then go to www.darbaroud.com and go to " ecrire aux concurrents" ( write to competitors). It would be good moral support, esp on day 4, the double marathon day, to have a few messages of goodwill!
 
Thank you in advance for your generosity, I look forward to reading your messages of support and touching base with a few of you who I have not been in touch with for a while.
 
Best Wishes
 
Andy