Raised: 132%
Target: £10,000.00
Raised so far: £13,185.00
Donate now

My story

 

Marathon des Sables

30 March - 5 April 2008

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Please help me raise as much money as possible for Wooden Spoon.

It is billed as the toughest footrace in the world.... The Marathon des Sables.

 

More than 150 miles through the Sahara desert, against the clock in temperatures of up to 50C, carrying a week's worth of food on your back. At a total distance almost equivalent to six regular marathons, the Marathon Des Sables pits runners against the parched landscape of the Sahara in a gruelling test of endurance.

 

Competitors have to carry what they need to survive the race in a rucksack, including food, clothes, distress flare, medical kit and sleeping bag. Only water rations are provided by the race organisers. And when the competitors stop for the night, they have to prepare their own food — before snatching a few hours of exhausted sleep and getting up to tackle the next day of the six-stage race.

 

Stage 1      16 miles

Stage 2      21 miles

Stage 3      24 miles

Stage 4      51 miles (the big one)

Stage 5      26 miles

Stage 6      13 miles (the gentle jog to finish) 

When they are not slogging through sand dunes, competitors have to negotiate uneven, stony ground in the ever-present heat of the desert sun. Walking for long distances is not an option — because a competitor can be disqualified if they take too long on any single stage.

The following links provide an idea of the terrain and conditions...........

http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/gallery_1.html

http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/gallery_4.html

 

I am hoping to raise £10,000 of sponsorship for Wooden Spoon. Wooden Spoon’s mission is to give support to children and young people who are disadvantaged physically, mentally or socially.  By providing the capital to fund strategic projects, Spoon makes a long-term difference to young lives across Northern Ireland.

The following link gives a little more detail of the good work Wooden Spoon has carried out locally.....

http://www.woodenspoon.com/3_438.php

 

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Wooden Spoon 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.

So please sponsor me now!

If you want to contact me directly please email me to mboyd1@madasafish.com.

Many thanks for your support.

Michael

forget the food..just carry 7 bottles(red)!! Donation by your missus's cousin 06/02/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good Luck Coach....You're Mad !! Donation by Cormac Houlahan (Armagh Minis P3) 05/02/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

best wishes for a most challenging marathon Donation by Stephen A 05/02/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

The very best of luck Michael. Donation by Pauline Wray 04/02/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

MY Feet Hurt just thinking about it.. Take Plenty of Batteries for the mp3 Player!!! Good Luck! Donation by Neal Finlay 02/02/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Kiddo - hope the sand doesn't get in your bits!! Love from the Emerson cripples!! Donation by Moe Emerson 02/02/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

GOOD LUCK FROM THE IRVINE GANG Donation by PAULINE IRVINE 01/02/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Arlene Marshall 30/01/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck and keep running!! Donation by Lynn Brown 30/01/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Michael! Rather you than me! Donation by Ian McCartney 30/01/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Run Forrest Run! Donation by Angela Meehan 29/01/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

I still think you're a lunatic! Donation by Connie Craig 28/01/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Michael! Donation by Gillian Russell 25/01/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by George Carfrae 24/01/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

HOPE YOU'VE INCREASED YOUR LIFE INSURANCE Donation by STUART 23/01/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Michael - you are mad!! Donation by Chris White 23/01/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Lewis Gribben 23/01/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

all the best Donation by Stephen Williams 23/01/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

good luck - rather you than me!!!!!! Donation by Fiona Weir 23/01/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

GOOD LUCK MICHAEL FROM THE ANDREWS CLAN Donation by DAVID, ANGELA & JAN ANDREWS 23/01/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck and come back safely Donation by Ian Somerville 23/01/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Becky Loane 23/01/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by james hunt 23/01/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £2,635.00
  Offline donations: £10,550.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £681.15

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.