Hello everyone

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Update 16th April 2010 - I DID IT!!! 250km's of hell, but I managed to get round. I finished 479th out of 1,030 people and around 100 of those competitors didn't make it. Shredded feet, scorpion stings, dehydration, heat stroke and exhaustion proved to be the main problems that we faced during the race and I'm very, very happy to have survived!!!
Some of you will be aware that I have entered the 2010 Marathon des Sables. This is a 150 mile ultra-endurance event across the Sahara Desert and is known as 'the toughest footrace on Earth'. Temperatures rise to 50 degrees celcius and the course tests the competitors to their limits with sand dunes, rocky hills and dried mud flats. It even includes a stage of over 50 miles in one day! Many people don't finish the event and it takes a huge amount of determination to keep your body going over the 6 days.

Susie normally runs with me in all of my events and was the person who first got me into running. However, she reckons I'm mad to try this and has decided to sit this one out......

I'm currently running a marathon every week in the effort to be ready for this event and my training sees me run 6 days a week.

Why am I doing this....? I want to raise as much money as I can for Mencap. It's a charity that I really believe in, that does amazing work in our communities. I'm running in the memory of my beautiful little cousin, Jacqueline Ann Gee. She was born with a learning disability, but tragically died due to other medical conditions. Mencap would have been there to support her through every point in her life and even though I can't do anything to help Jacqueline, I'd like to help others. I hope the commitment I will need to give this marathon and the sacrifices I will have to make during my training will inspire you to support this wonderful charity.

If you'd like to sponsor me, you can do it safely on this page. Alternatively, just email me (david.s.ward@baesystems.com) with the amount you'd like to pledge and I'll add you to my off-line sponsor form.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Mencap gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please be a hero sponsor me now!