Donald Sandeman - MARATHON DES SABLES
Page creator: Donald Sandeman
Page closes: 23rd Jun 2006
Fundraising Page Image
Just a big beach holiday
About the charity : Marie Curie Cancer Care Marie Curie Cancer Care
Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families. Your local Marie Curie Hospice actively promotes quality of life for people with cancer and provides support for their families. The services are completely free to patients. World class scientists at the Marie Curie Research Institute are investigating how cancer develops to find better ways of treating the disease in the future.
Charity Registration No 207994 (England & Wales) and SCO 38731 (Scotland)
Fundraising target:  £3,500.00
Donations so far:  £ 4,251.18
SPONSOR ME NOW
 
Share this page I want a page like this Set reminder
Personal message:

MARATHON DES SABLES 2006
(THE TOUGHEST FOOTRACE IN THE WORLD)

Many of you may only know me as an under-achieving, idle ,drunken slob but to celebrate my change of career and my 50th Birthday I have decided to change my life style and make a contribution to society.
In April I am competing in the 2006 Marathon Des Sables.
This is a 154 mile race, in southern Morocco, across the Sahara where you have to carry all your own equipment, food, cooking and survival gear. It takes place over 7 days and is the equivalent to 6 marathons with a single 50 mile overnight stage. It crosses rocky terrain and some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Tempatures can reach 50 C during the day and are close to freezing at night. Sandstorms, sunstroke, serious blisters, dehydration, navigation, madness and snakebites are all hazards. (What's even worse I will miss out on my rugby trip to Dublin for the first time in 22 years)

I am already training hard by competing in back to back marathons, a coast to coast Scottish biathlon, along with 34 and 50 mile ultra marathons. I am not pestering any of you by seeking sponsorship for these events.
Instead, and to make this whole stupid idea worthwhile, I wish to do something useful for once and I am asking everyone I know to dig deeply and be as generous as they can for a hugely important charity. Sadly almost everyone has had a friend, colleague or relative who has had to use the Marie Curie but they all praise the magnificent work done there. To know I am raising a decent amount will maybe keep me sane.
Q. What's in it for you?
A. 1). The comfort of knowing you have helped such an important cause as the Edinburgh Marie Curie and the assurance that once you have donated I shall never pester any of you again for money by doing such a stupid thing.
2). The satisfaction of knowing that I will be suffering guaranteed pain and immense discomfort over Easter.

 Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. You can either hand me a donation when you next see me, post it to me at 48 Pentland View, Edinburgh EH10 6PS or donate on line. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. Marie Curie Cancer Care will receive your money faster. What ever way you donate, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax can be added to your gift at no cost to you. Remember, this isn't a 2 hour sponsored walk round the park!       So please...... sponsor me now!
For more information on the Marathon Des Sables check out the links on my web page http://donaldsandeman.saharamarathon.co.uk Many thanks for your support. Donald Sandeman

NB   February Update:  Training is going very well but I do have a few minor injuries following my 54 mile Thames Meander Ultra Marathon.  I am now taking daily saunas in an attempt to acclimatise myself to the heat.  Special thanks to Edinburgh Leisure, Anatom Sales (Smartwool socks) and Footworks running shop for their assistance and for everyone who has already sponsored me.

Sadly and significantly this month I have learned that my mother is suffering from terminal cancer and will be using the Marie Curie facilities.  This has ofcourse added even more purpose to my fundraising.
Thanks again
Donald

LATEST UPDATE: 20/4/06
I'VE DONE IT!!!!.
The race was the hardest ever with horrendously hot and windy conditions. There were 146 retirements in first four stages compared with less than 20 last year. 3 very serious cases,one of whom had to be ventilated and flown to France.   I lost all the skin from my feet after the 3rd stage and could only hobble the rest of the route finishing very near the back of the survivors.  My mum was told that I had finished on the Saturday and she celebrated with a sip of champagne before slipping away later that night.  Sadly I didn't get a chance to see her to celebrate.  It was by far the hardest thing I have ever done and will never do anything like it again.   I will compile a full diary this week and can email it to anyone who wishes.   I have extended my closing date so if you have not donated there is still time. Marie Curie have proved to me that they provide a truly fantastic service
Thanks to everyone
Donald

May Update.  Full diary and some photos on my blog http://sanddemon.blogspot.com/

With regards to my coments about never doing anything like it again, I am considering doing one of  two similar (but  I doubt if as hard races).  One is across the Gobi Desert and the other is crossing Chile via the Atacama desert.  The feet are obviously getting better.
Thanks again to all that have made donations

Display Name Date Amount Tax Bonus  Comment
Spen 14/06/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Good effort. I hope you are back on the pints! 
donald mackenzie 03/06/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Congratulation Donald, inspirational performance !  
Sandra McDougall 28/05/2006 £10.00 £2.82 your blog made me cry. my mum also died at Marie Curie, well done, i'm sure your mum is very proud 
Lisa Brazier Watt 16/05/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Well done sgt! 
Malcolm Graham 14/05/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Fantastic achievements - both completing the race and raising so much for a great cause 
Laurent Locke 13/05/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Great achievement. Know how you feel! 
Maeve McP 11/05/2006 £50.00 £14.10 awesome - well done 
Gareth Blair 09/05/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Donald, you should be extremely proud of your achievement, I am sure your mother was. Cheers GB 
Bob Hope 08/05/2006 £50.00 £14.10 An incredible achievement Donald. Your diary makes an inspiring and moving read. Well done. 
Craig Donnachie 08/05/2006 £10.00 £2.82 I don't know you at all, but your achievement is incredible and your story inspiring. 
Gary Dickson 08/05/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Donald, an amazing accomplishment for a very good cause. 
Malky Tough 08/05/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Donald old chum - Lost for words but well done and of course my condolences - Regards Malky 
amanda davidson 05/05/2006 £10.00 n/a congratulations donald from callum's partner at work.  
Mark M + family 05/05/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Carl Peters 30/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Mark Gruber 25/04/2006 £100.00 £28.21 Wish I had time to spend a week playing on the beach ya big wimp!! Good one Donald. 
susan sandeman 23/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 unbelievable achievement-well done! 
shona & ailsa 16/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 WELL DONE!!!! X 
Judith Sandeman 06/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 I think you're mad too, but am also impressed. 
Fiona Bushby 03/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82 From my mum who says "Rather you than me"! Best of luck from all at the Marie Curie Hospice, Edin. 
Iain 02/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck Sandie, I'll be willing you on! 
Jim Wright 02/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Is it true you have changed your name to Don Sandyman? all the best. 
derek stewart 01/04/2006 £100.00 £28.21 best of scottish luck, look after yourself 
Shona and Alan 01/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 good luck no going back now 
Aldo Matrundola 01/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Come back before September. I need a drinking partner for Hampshire 10 miler.  
Marion and Alan Glauch 31/03/2006 £100.00 £28.21 We will think of you while we are freezing on a chairlift. 
Phil & Frances Henry 30/03/2006 £100.00 £28.21 It's not a run in the desert you need, it's a 2 week holiday in Carstairs! 
bruce + carole burt 28/03/2006 £10.00 £2.82 simply awesome:0) 
Alan & Susan Ruxton (Allan) 27/03/2006 £50.00 £14.10 What a way to start your retirement! All the very best. 
Hiilary Snaith 27/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 It is an awesome challenge - good luck!! 
Yvonne Evans 25/03/2006 £5.00 £1.41 Mental! Good for you - all the best! 
Cameron Rose 25/03/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Awe!! Well done 
Margaret Munro 25/03/2006 £10.00 n/a Just read article in Evening News. Good luck, I'm sure you will succeed. 
Mary Hunter 25/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Read about your intention to do M de S in the evening news. What a tough challenge. Good luck. 
STEVEN LAURIE 24/03/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Well it looks like you wont get 'sectioned' now although you are still mad. Enjoy yourself !!  
Iona Gerrish 24/03/2006 £30.00 £8.46 Good Luck 
the mackenzie-brodie clan 17/03/2006 £30.00 £8.46 is 20p a mile ok? i think it is true that you are mad but still -respect -! 
callum + chrid 04/01/2006 £20.00 £5.64 what a strange thing to want to do. best of luck though!  
Iain & Lynda Sadler 31/12/2005 £20.00 £5.64 Best of luck Donald 
The other Betty 05/12/2005 £25.00 £7.05 Look after your feet!! 
Laura + Alan 02/12/2005 £50.00 £14.10 Better remember your 'runners'!! Good luck! 
G Chappelle 29/11/2005 £20.00 £5.64 Phew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it! Good luck! 
B Potter 29/11/2005 £10.00 £2.82  
Elaine Hall 29/07/2005 £5.00 £1.41 Good luck Donald - enjoy your 'retirement' too! 
SoGyn Lau 14/07/2005 £10.00 £2.82  
Mark Hand 29/06/2005 £20.00 £5.64 Stop hassling me now Donald, Yer mad by the way 
Davy McPherson 27/06/2005 £10.00 £2.82  
Esther Jardine 26/06/2005 £10.00 £2.82 good luck--old codger 
Ewan Ramage 11/05/2005 £20.00 £5.64 From Idle to Insanity! - Good luck! 
Richie Adams 09/05/2005 £20.00 £5.64 Mad in the heid! Very best of luck, Richie 
Anonymous 09/05/2005 £20.00 £5.64  
Mouse and Margaret 06/05/2005 £50.00 £14.10 Hope you manage to beat Tom's time - he completed it in a lunchbreak! 
Doc. Johns and Lorna 02/05/2005 £100.00 £28.21 I've also paid your fine for non-attendance in Dublin! 
elaine 23/04/2005 £20.00 £5.64 MAKE SURE THE LIFE ASSURANCE IS PAID UP 
Verisign secure site-- click to verify SPONSOR ME NOW
*Total donated online: £1,705.00
Total Gift Aid reclaimed: £475.26
Amount raised offline: £2,070.92
Page tags 
 The page owner has yet to add tags to this page

If you are the page owner, why not get tagging right now?
  rss logo  | more about RSS  

  

 add to Del.icio.us   
* See what happens to your donation.

Justgiving — Fundraising made easy