Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

If you do not know me, that is me there running in Australia. This run I have planned will be something similar, as in I am running. But it will be 5 times longer, in the desert, there will be far less smiles and the only time I will see that much water is when my blisters burst.

The Marathon Des Sables is an epic 6 day foot race, 243km / 151 miles through the Moroccan Sahara Desert with one day of 82km. It is the equivalent of 5 1/2 standard marathons over stony ground and soft sinking sand dunes in temperatures of over 120 degrees. Although water is handed out and my tent will be there waiting for me at the end of each day, to make things a little worse, I will need to carry all my own equipment on my back, This obviously is a stupid thing to do, but something to look back on fondly, one day when I am very very old.

Something this careless requires a massive incentive

I have chosen to raise money for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight. They provide an invaluable and frankly amazing service, helping terminally ill patients to live their last months and days in comfort and with dignity. I have seen firsthand how the Earl Mountbatten Hospice can help those going through the terrible experience of losing someone they love, when 20 years ago my Mum died there at the age of forty. I cannot begin to explain what a worthwhile cause this really is.

This is where you come in to the plan. I need your donations to keep me running knowing on completion of the race your cash will be going to helping so many other families. When my feet have turned to blisters legs to soggy sand bags and skin to crackling, I will have that in what is left of my mind to keep me running, plodding, waddling or perhaps even crawling over the finish line

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Earl Mountbatten Hospice will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. Bargain

So please sponsor me now! You will be making such a difference to many other families and to me on more of a personal level. Many thanks for your support... Dave