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The Toughest Foot Race in the World
Page creator: Ian Baldwin
Event: Marathon Des Sables
Event Date: 6th Apr 2006
Fundraising Page Image
Spade..bucket...now, where's the sand?
About my charity : Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research. We support research into all aspects of cancer through the work of more than 4,250 scientists, doctors and nurses. Over the past 10 years alone, thousands of lives have been saved through earlier detection and improved treatments. But, much work remains to be done if we are to achieve our aim of beating cancer.
Charity Registration No 1089464
Fundraising target:  £3,000.00
My donations to date:  £ 8,157.14
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My personal message:

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.  I will be running the Marathon Des Sables (MdS) between 6th -17th April 2006.

A Big Thank you!!

Wow, I'm delighted I've reached my initial £3000 target.  Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me.  This was the minimum I wanted to raise for Cancer Research UK as with race entry fee, flights, accommodation and equipment it is going to cost me approx £2800.  I'm paying this so that all money donated will go straight to Cancer Research UK.  I know it's not just about raising money, it's about raising awareness, but please continue to sponsor me so that all the pain is worthwhile.

I've been extremely touched by everyone's generosity and words of encouragement.  An extra special thank you to all the pupils, teachers and parents at Roundhay School in Leeds where Karen, my sister, was a music teacher.  Their non-uniform day raised an amazing £1217.14!!!!!

 

Donating
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research 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.  Although this website is secure, if you aren't happy to donate money on-line and would like to sponsor me, please e-mail me ian.baldwin@ntlworld.com

The Marathon Des Sables

The MdS is not an ordinary marathon. It is an endurance race billed as the toughest foot race in the world. Literal translation of MdS is the “sand marathon”, so no surprises that it all takes place in the Sahara Desert !!! The race is open to 600 competitors worldwide of which about 200 are from the UK.

The MdS consists of running/walking approximately 150 miles (240 km), the equivalent of 5-6 marathons, over 7 days.  This includes one 82 km (52 miles) stage which will go on through the night. I will also need to reach certain checkpoints within time limits.

One of the biggest challenges will be the weather.  In April the temperatures can be in excess of 40 °C, and sandstorms are not uncommon.

If this isn't hard enough, I also have to be self sufficient in food and carry any other equipment I require in a rucksack, including sleeping bag and venom pump (hopefully won't need this!!!). The rucksack will weigh about 15 kg, not including the weight of water!!!.

Why am I doing this?

I want to raise awareness and money for Cancer Research because one and a half years ago, my sister died of breast cancer, aged 33. Running for this cause is giving me a strong feeling of fulfillment and purpose after the devastation of my sister's death.

All money donated will go to Cancer Research .

Please make my pain worthwhile and sponsor me now!!!!! 

Thank you very much for your support

Ian

For more information on the work Cancer Research does please visit http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

For more information on the MdS please visit http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/
My online fundraisers to date: Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest
Display Name Date Amount Tax Bonus  Comment
Rob & Sarah Middleton 26/05/2006 £30.00 £8.46 Well done Ian, an awesome achievement 
Linda James 19/05/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Congratulations!I too read your tremendous story on the GSK web.Your sister would be very proud. 
Adele, Simon and family 12/05/2006 £10.00 n/a Congratulations - Well Done 
Jim Linn 10/05/2006 £50.00 n/a Terrific effort Ian! congratulations! 
Giovanni 08/05/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Simon Willett 04/05/2006 £40.00 n/a Well done Ian...... love Simon & Debs x 
Noreen Curristin 01/05/2006 £20.00 n/a Congratulations ! Saw your story on the GSK website and had to contribute to your worthy endeavor! 
John Hughes 27/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 An awesome achievement - Congratulations 
Stephen 26/04/2006 £100.00 n/a  
Alison Michael & Rachel 26/04/2006 £25.00 £7.05 Well done, Ian. 
Arun 25/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Congratulations Ian!! 
Rob Young 25/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82  
Lois Denyer 25/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Fantastic achievement - well done! 
Helen Fitton 25/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Beth 25/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82 well done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Peter A Gurney 23/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10  
Anonymous 22/04/2006 £25.00 £7.05  
Peter & Margaret Wood 21/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Glad I taught you PE!Proud of you 
Liz and John Bailey 20/04/2006 £20.00 n/a Well done Ian 
Mavis Lovell 20/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Well done Ian! What a tribute to your sister! 
Oscar & Hazel (Mark's Neighbours) 19/04/2006 £25.00 £7.05 A tremendous effort, well done 
Matt W 19/04/2006 £15.00 £4.23  
Laura 15/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
David 15/04/2006 £150.00 £42.31 Go Ian! 
Claire 13/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Good Luck! 
Lauren 12/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck 
Mike 10/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82  
Vipul 07/04/2006 £25.00 £7.05 Best of Luck 
the active elderly 07/04/2006 £120.00 £33.85 follow in Wilson Kepple & Betty's footsteps 
John Corfield 07/04/2006 £30.00 £8.46 Best of luck, Ian!! 
Jamie Lovell 06/04/2006 £20.00 n/a Good Luck! 
Alison Steel 05/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Tracey Hunter 05/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82 All the best!! I also hope you don't need to use the venom pump!!! 
Katrina Medhurst 05/04/2006 £10.00 £2.82 This is an amazing thing you are doing! good luck! 
maureen and family 04/04/2006 £40.00 £11.28 Good luck on your venture 
Marjorie 04/04/2006 £40.00 £11.28 good luck - take care 
Gran Baker 04/04/2006 £200.00 £56.41 We'll be thinking of you every step of the way and saluting your courage 
Adele International Hairdressing and customers 04/04/2006 £60.00 n/a Good luck 
Emma Maskell 04/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck Ian!! 
Catherine 03/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck! 
Phil Box 03/04/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Good Luck! 
Darren Stuart 03/04/2006 £30.00 n/a Wonderful tribute to your sister. Best of luck and take care. 
JC, Vicki, Matthew and Oliver 03/04/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck from us all. 
Sue & Mark Powell 31/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck Ian and keep safe xx 
Vipul Patel 31/03/2006 £25.00 £7.05 best of luck.... 
Darren and Pat Bray 30/03/2006 £20.00 n/a good luck 
Chris Hayes and Helen 30/03/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Wishing you all the best  
Kerstin 30/03/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Best of luck. 
Doug 29/03/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck 
Maureen, Terry & Maureen's Mum 29/03/2006 £25.00 n/a Our thoughts and Best Wishes go with you 
Nicola Oxby 29/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck, the hard training will be worth it!! 
Emma Nenadic 29/03/2006 £5.00 n/a It was a pleasure being taught by your sister and for so many students her memory will always remain 
aurélie 27/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck Ian! Take care. 
Brenda 27/03/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Take care and good luck 
Linda Robert & Auntie Lou 26/03/2006 £30.00 £8.46 Our love and best wishes go with you  
Rachel, Brian, Alistair and Eliza 26/03/2006 £30.00 £8.46 We'll be thinking of you 
Gran G 26/03/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Hope everything goes well 
Spam 24/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck Balders - Hope to catch up soon 
Matt 24/03/2006 £30.00 £8.46 An heroic effort and a great cause - good luck! 
Nick 24/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 I know you can do it 
Rosemary Pettitt 21/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck 
John and Marg, family and friends 20/03/2006 £100.00 £28.21 Will be thinking of you Ian 
Bec Scott 19/03/2006 £10.00 n/a  
V Kendall 19/03/2006 £5.00 £1.41  
Geoff and Anthea Thomas 19/03/2006 £50.00 £14.10 What a challenge you have set yourself, but all in a worthwile cause. We wish you all the best 
Roundhay School, Leeds 19/03/2006 £1,217.14 n/a With love from everyone at Roundhay School 
anonymous 19/03/2006 £25.00 £7.05 May your footsteps be guided and your efforts be well rewarded. 
Doncaster Business Studies Ret. Teachers 17/03/2006 £25.00 n/a Good Luck - Go for it Ian!! 
Pete, Karen & Owen 16/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Wishing you all the very best Ian for this very tough event. We wil be thinking of you.  
Pat Taylor 11/03/2006 £100.00 £28.21  
Barbara & Meirian Williams 11/03/2006 £10.00 n/a Such a well wlrth cause, you have to be admired 
Colin 10/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Charlotte Mitchell 08/03/2006 £10.00 £2.82  
Ken 07/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Kirsty (GSK Harlow) 06/03/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Good Luck! 
Jon Lee 06/03/2006 £20.00 £5.64 mate, what a good effort. all the best and it would be good to catch up soon. 
Anna, Carl, Charlie & Paul 01/03/2006 £50.00 £14.10 You're mad!!! Good luck and be safe! 
Hannah Carey 27/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck Ian! 
saadet 25/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Brazilian !! Like it ! 
Pat & Mike Rhodes 25/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck,Ian---go for it it is on Mike's birthday so that is good!! 
Ivan Pinto 24/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good Luck!!! 
Chris Walby 23/02/2006 £10.00 £2.82 The bloke who talked around the WGC 10! 
Simon g 23/02/2006 £30.00 £8.46 Good Luck 
Brian J 22/02/2006 £75.00 £21.15 Good luck Ian 
ChrisLee 20/02/2006 £10.00 n/a A great cause which will require fantastic effort. All the best, Ian. 
Mike Chitty 20/02/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Best of Luck! 
Shelly 20/02/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Thinking of you whilst on maternity leave! 
Sarah 19/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Best of luck 
Emma V. 19/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck 
Anthony 18/02/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck! 
Kerri Fuller 18/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 What an incredible thing to do, Good Luck! 
Dyan Batterbury 17/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Enjoy every second of your adventure Ian. The memories will last you a lifetime. Good luck! 
Martin 17/02/2006 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck and keep hydrated 
Catherine Rhodes 15/02/2006 £30.00 £8.46 Amazing or mad?! Will be thinking of you 
Wendy 15/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck Ian, I'll be with you in spirit 
Graham 15/02/2006 £20.00 n/a good luck! 
Clare Rhodes 15/02/2006 £20.00 £5.64  
Catherine Mitchell 15/02/2006 £10.00 £2.82 Wishing you lots of luck, you crazy wonderful person! 
Nicky, Robin and Oliver 14/02/2006 £30.00 £8.46 Huge admiration for you - best of luck!! 
Pat and Terry Russell 14/02/2006 £100.00 £28.21 Bonne chance et courage ! 
  Page 1 of 2     Latest  << | < | > | >>  Earliest
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*Total donated online: £7,397.14
Amount raised offline: £760.00
Plus Justgiving has reclaimed Gift Aid of: £1,432.82
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