UPDATE - We have got a meeting in London on 4th Sept to find out more details about everything. I have also just received our flight details. We fly from Heathrow at 17.10 on 6th November then have a 3 hour stop off in Casablanca before arriving at Ouzazate at 00.35. So it looks like we will be travelling most of the day!

It's the same on the way back, we leave Ouzazate at 05.15, get to Casablanca at 06.15 then Heathrow at 15.50.

Many of you will know that I have been a coeliac for many years now. In fact it is just over ten years! Given that I have managed to keep going for so long without wheaty bits I think that it is only fair that I try and give something back to the charity that has supported me. Of course all of you have supported me in your own ways, and I am very grateful for that.

However I need your help once more. This time Joe and I plan to trek around the Sahara, covering about 100km, to raise £4,000 for Coeliac UK (registered charity number 1048167). This is our chance to complete the challenge of a lifetime and do our bit for the hundreds of coeliacs still struggling out there.

We will be flying to either Marrakech or Ouarzazate where we will meet our guides, the camel and the cameleers (yes it's a real word!). We will spend the next 8 days in the desert sleeping in tents with the camels to carry the heavy loads, luckily! On the last day we will return to Ouarzazate and visit the world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, the ancient Kasbah which has been the backdrop for many films, including Gladiator! Our last night will be spent in the relative luxury of a hotel with an evening celebratory meal and perhaps a couple of drinks.

We are not asking everyone to donate vast sums, we are very appreciative of whatever you can spare. If you are unable to donate money, feel free to send us plasters, as I am sure we will need alot of them!

 

In order for us to be able to complete this challenge £3,200 of the sponsorship is needed by 10/09/2010 so if you are able to pay as you sponsor we would be very grateful.

 

To find out more about coeliac disease or how the money is going to help the charity go to www.coeliac.org.uk. If you want to ask us any questions or have any ideas for fundraising then please contact us at shawer@hotmail.co.uk or if you just want to see what we're getting up to then keep looking at this page.

 

19/01/10

Bit of an update for everyone,

We have made it to 5% now wooooo!! We have been getting our bits and bobs together and now have various bits of kit, including our boots. We have been on one walk in the UK around Speke Hall which was nice and easy and we have just got back from three days in Copenhagen. We had an amazing time and saw lots of sights including the famous Little Mermaid. We only got one taxi and spent the rest of the time walking so we got plenty of practise in. The only problem being was that it was minus three most of the time, a bit different to the Sahara! Now we're home and the washing has been done and term starts again for me on Monday so it's back to the grindstone. But we will be doing some more walking and hopefully be accompanying the schools D of E expedition soon. So I will write more soon to keep you all up to date!

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far but spread the news!

 

12/04/10

We did some more walking at the weekend, this time on the beach at Formby. Sadly we didn't see any red squirrels but there was lots of dunes. After a few games of frisbee we set off on our mini trek, which took us about 3 hours. Some of the dunes there are enormous, probably tiny compared to the Sahara but it's a start!

Some of the dunes were so steep we were sliding down them, great fun but filled our shoes with sand! I eventually took mine off but Joe saved his sand for when we got home. There is now a small pile of sand next to the car! We had a lovely day but my calves are aching and my shoulders are pink now! Keep checking for more updates and don't forget to spread the news and donate! Also I am getting low on plasters so If you can't donate send me a plaster! Strangely enough it was my cowboy boots that have given me the worst blisters so far!

 

21/05/10

So we did our first 'big' walk on 8/5/10; about 8 and a half miles. We started at the iron men on Crosby beach and walked up towards Formby. It was a beautiful day and we made good time. After walking for about 2 hours in some fantastic scenery we were within hearing distance of the rifle ranges at Altcar. We reached the river Alt (I think) and luckily there was a comfy looking bench. After a half hour leisurely lunch it was time to head back again. About halfway there is a muddy looking beach that I have to admit doesn't look very inspiring. However if you come across the tourist sign it becomes more interesting. It is a sunken prehistoric forest with tree stumps and evidence of soil/peat. There is also some prehistoric footprints somewhere on this stretch of coast. I think they must be further up near the red squirrels at Formby. I will keep looking and let you know!

What's next? Well we are going to walk about 8 miles around Carsington Reservoir with my Mum and Titus the dog. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather and if anyone wants to join us get in touch!!!!

 

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