Hello and thanks for visiting my fund-raising page!

In a brave moment I decided that there must be another step beyond Ironman ... so I signed up for the Marathon des Sables 2010 (www.saharamarathon.co.uk) ... and now I’m regretting it!

The race is 151 miles across the Sahara Desert over 6 days in April with the longest nonstop stage being a cheeky 52 miles = 2 marathons! Mix in the fact that it will be 45 degrees, I have to carry all my food, clothing and sleeping bag and will be sleeping in a tent and I really am struggling to find a reason why I have signed up to this lunacy!

Luckily though three charities will benefit from my blistered feet:

  - Principally the learning disability charity MENCAP (www.mencap.org.uk) as I am lucky enough to have a place in their team to run the race.

I will also be donating a percentage of funds raised to:

  - BRAIN TUMOUR UK (www.braintumouruk.org.uk) – run by the mother of a school friend of mine, the late Steve Baker, which is the leading, caring charity committed to fighting brain tumours by providing support, funding research and raising awareness.  

  - MYBNK (www.mybnk.org) – a charity which develops innovative youth led educational tools for young people to build the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their money effectively, and to make enterprising choices throughout their lives.