Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and I promise I am not having a mid-life crisis!

As many of you know diabetes has been part of my family since I can remember. Now aside from my Dad suffering with type 1 diabetes since his early 30's, my Mum now suffers with type 2. I also have some close friends who are affected, including Jessie Bannister who lives in my village and is a beautiful young girl who is a real testament to those type 1 sufferers who just get on with life. Sufferers will know that being insulin dependant means you are on constant alert and have to ensure  you manage everything you do, exercise, food, drink and even sleep. 

The Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation are a charity who put time and resource to not only finding a cure but helping those with diabetes live with it and control it rather that it controlling them. Please take time to see their amazing work at www.drwf.org.uk

Right, the challenge....

I am taking part in the Marathon des Sables, (www.marthondessables.co.uk) fondly known as "the toughest footrace on Earth". This "marathon" entails running 6 marathons in 6 days across the Sahara Desert whilst carrying all of your food, bedding, clothing and essentials for the entire journey. Add to this rationed water in temperatures that can get to 50 degrees centigrade (122F) and back to freezing point at night. By all account the running is secondary to blister management and losing your toenails!! As you can see I am really trying to push the limits in the hope of raising significant funds so please help!!

The typical race schedule looks a little like:

Day 1 - 33.8km (21 miles)

Day 2- 38.5km (24 miles)

Day 3 - 35km (22 miles)

Day 4 - 81.5km, yes 81.5km!! (50miles!!)

Day 5 42.2km (26 miles)

and day 6 an easy 15.5km....(10miles) easy eh?

I know my fundraising target is significant but want to add that my entry, race gear and all expenses are completely self funded (in excess of £4,000) and I therefore ask that all donations go my chosen charity. I also promise to post my training activity on Facebook for those who are interested. Please look me up and friend me and I will also get round to creating a page in between running....

To date I am starting feel a little like Forrest Gump, I have gone through 2 pairs of trainers and run just over 1000 miles in the last 4 months. Please think of me as the nights get longer, the rain comes in and the cold mornings and evenings become my training ground. If anyone fancies a run, please give me a call as the company will be welcome on any of the 50-70miles I am now running weekly!

I will take donations anyway possible, cash, texts, IOU's, literally anything! Or you can do it the easy way through JustGiving. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to my charity.

I really do appreciate your support and will attempt to survive!

Thanks all,

Mark "Gump" Hoskins