When a child’s life is expected to be short, there’s no time to waste. Together for Short Lives is the UK charity that is here to make sure the 99,000 seriously ill children and their families can make the most of every moment they have together – whether that’s for years, months or only hours. Many of these children have complex conditions and need specialist care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our ‘to do’ list is growing daily, and we have one bold ambition: To reach every family caring for a seriously ill child who needs help.

We'll be participating in the Marathon Des Sables (MDS) edition 37 which takes place from 23rd April - 29th April 2023 in the Sahara Desert, Morocco. 

The MDS is widely considered to be the toughest footrace on Earth and is comprised of six stages over seven days, with the first three daily stages set around 20-25 miles each. The fourth stage is around 50 miles; the fifth stage is always a full marathon of 26.2 miles and the sixth (and last) stage is from 9-13 miles. Totaling around 156 miles (254km). 

The MDS also requires participants to be self-sufficient as per race regulations which means carrying our own food for the duration, along with sleeping bag and mandatory kit such as a venom pump for the creepy crawlies.

Luke, Mark and I are all ex forces and now work together as Offshore Wind Turbine Technicians at Hornsea1 Wind Farm. We're not seasoned ultra-runners and we've never taken on anything as tough as this so needless to say it's an enormous challenge and one we've all wanted to complete for years. To have the opportunity to complete the MDS for Together for Short Lives is priceless as it sits very close to our hearts. They do outstanding work for seriously ill children and their families, helping them make the most of every moment together. 

All funds raised will go straight to Together for Short Lives as we're self funding the race entry fee along with equipment and insurance, totaling well over £4000 each.  

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and hope you can help us raise the much needed funds and awareness for this beautiful charity.