Raised: 92%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £4,575.00
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My story

 

My New Year ambition for 2006: complete the Atacama Crossing.

The Atacama Crossing is 150 miles or 250 kilometres long and is divided into six stages, lasting seven days, with distances ranging from 10-50 miles (20-80 kilometres) per stage.

You might think that this will be a walk in the park. After all, I did the Marathon des Sables in 2003.

However, the Atacama Crossing takes place in the Atacama Desert in Chile, high in the Andes. The minimum altitude will be around 9,000 feet. It’ll be hot. Competitors are required to be fully self-supported throughout the event and must carry all their own food, gear and clothing that they will wear for the week. That’s about 12 kilos in my rucksack. And, just to make it a little bit harder, I wouldn't even contemplate doing this without the extra burden of the desert-adapted rhino costume (the first time ever that a wild rhino will have been seen in South America). That’s another 8 kilos.

This week of unmitigated joy is being paid for entirely by me - £970 for the flights and another US $2,500 for the privilege of taking part.

Just in case you still think this is a cinch, please bear in mind that I  did the London Marathon on 23 April (very slowly, had awful flu) and the Edinburgh Marathon on 11 June as part of the training programme.

But I'm not doing the Atacama Crossing just to win the worst blister prize, nor to spend quality time with my darling husband Kenneth, who is doing the event with me, as are five other intrepid Save the Rhino runners who will take it in turns to wear the costume. Rhinos, despite my best efforts, still badly need saving. The money we raise by doing the Atacama Crossing will be given to rhino- and community-based conservation projects in Africa and Asia. We support lots of great projects, and we want to do more!

For anyone still unimpressed by any of the above, then maybe this will surprise you: I gave up alcohol on 23 January and won’t drink again until after the end of the Atacama Crossing – that’s over six months!

So please sponsor me, for one of the reasons above or for any other reason that tickles you. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Save the Rhino International will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

I am sure there will be moments before and during the race when I wonder what on earth I have let myself in for. Please do what you can to reassure me that running in absurd ultra-marathons is worthwhile.

x Cathy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well done Cathy, hope your feet make a swift recovery Donation by Katie Harding 16/08/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Cathy well done! Rachel x Donation by anonymous 05/08/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by david stirling 04/08/06  

£75.00 + £21.15 Gift Aid

Cathy, huge bloody respect!! Donation by James Thrift 01/08/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Cathy, it was an honour to share the Atacama Crossing with you and the team. Mark and Joany Donation by Mark Tamminga and Joany Verschuuren 01/08/06  

£100.00

Donation by Jo Walton 29/07/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck to all the Rhino team on your epic (and somewhat insane) journey! Donation by Richard Sherley 17/07/06  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Big Respect! Donation by Shona Donaldson 17/07/06  

£75.00

Donation by Chrissie 17/07/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

To the most warm-spirited and energetic ex-boss one could wish for! Take that suit to new heights;0) Donation by Kirstie 03/07/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Cathy - You are a brave lady! Keep well and I am right behind you (almost!). Love Penny Donation by Penny Rudd 27/06/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I can think of better ways to celebrate old age! Good luck Donation by Nick Lindsay 13/06/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

may the Atacama wind blow with you - good luck + lots of love, c + t xxx Donation by carol robertson 06/06/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck - looking forward to hearing all about it (no toe-nail stories though!!) Donation by Katy & Joel Hodges 02/06/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

So impressed - good luck! Donation by Jill & Jim 15/05/06  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Andrew Deakin 09/05/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck. Donation by Jayne Ferrand 03/05/06  

£100.00

Donation by Chrissie Hall 03/05/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Melanie Shepherd 03/05/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

You are crazy yet inspirational. All the very best. xx Donation by Justin Wateridge 01/05/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

will be thinking of you!! Donation by Pam Franklin 30/04/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Richard Sumray 29/04/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Happy Birthday and enjoy the trip Donation by Christina Franco 28/04/06  

£200.00

Fantastic Cathy - you're an inspiration! Donation by Pam Keeble 28/04/06  

£25.00

Best Of Luck Donation by David & Paul of Lakeweb / AMS 27/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Cathy go! Amazing! Donation by Zoe Savage 27/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Cathy, I think you are sooooooo brave but totally crazy! Good luck! Donation by Maria 27/04/06  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

I can't even imagine what lunatic thought up this race! Good luck!!! Donation by David Jay 27/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

go Cathy, good luck! Donation by Alex Zimmermann 27/04/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Cathy!!! Donation by Deb Soakell 26/04/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £2,700.00
  Offline donations: £1,875.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £617.69

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