Raised: 272%
Target: £3,000.00
Raised so far: £8,157.14
Donate now

My story

 

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/

Well done Ian, an awesome achievement Donation by Rob & Sarah Middleton 26/05/06  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Congratulations!I too read your tremendous story on the GSK web.Your sister would be very proud. Donation by Linda James 19/05/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congratulations - Well Done Donation by Adele, Simon and family 12/05/06  

£10.00

Terrific effort Ian! congratulations! Donation by Jim Linn 10/05/06  

£50.00

Donation by Giovanni 08/05/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Ian...... love Simon & Debs x Donation by Simon Willett 04/05/06  

£40.00

Congratulations ! Saw your story on the GSK website and had to contribute to your worthy endeavor! Donation by Noreen Curristin 01/05/06  

£20.00

An awesome achievement - Congratulations Donation by John Hughes 27/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Stephen 26/04/06  

£100.00

Well done, Ian. Donation by Alison Michael & Rachel 26/04/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Congratulations Ian!! Donation by Arun 25/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Rob Young 25/04/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Fantastic achievement - well done! Donation by Lois Denyer 25/04/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Helen Fitton 25/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

well done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Donation by Beth 25/04/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Peter A Gurney 23/04/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 22/04/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Glad I taught you PE!Proud of you Donation by Peter & Margaret Wood 21/04/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done Ian Donation by Liz and John Bailey 20/04/06  

£20.00

Well done Ian! What a tribute to your sister! Donation by Mavis Lovell 20/04/06  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

A tremendous effort, well done Donation by Oscar & Hazel (Mark's Neighbours) 19/04/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by Matt W 19/04/06  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Donation by Laura 15/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go Ian! Donation by David 15/04/06  

£150.00 + £42.31 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Donation by Claire 13/04/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Lauren 12/04/06  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Mike 10/04/06  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of Luck Donation by Vipul 07/04/06  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

follow in Wilson Kepple & Betty's footsteps Donation by the active elderly 07/04/06  

£120.00 + £33.85 Gift Aid

Best of luck, Ian!! Donation by John Corfield 07/04/06  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £7,397.14
  Offline donations: £760.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,432.82

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