The Royal Marines Commandos are the UK’s elite amphibious fighting force 🏴‍☠️, known for their resilience, toughness, and ability to operate in the world’s most extreme environments. From Arctic warfare ❄️ to desert combat 🌍, they take on the toughest missions—always ready to fight, adapt, and overcome.

But the battles don’t always end when service does. That’s where the Royal Marines Charity steps in ❤️. They provide vital support to serving and former Royal Marines, as well as their families, helping with everything from mental health support 🧠, injury recovery 🏥, and transition assistance to financial aid. They ensure that Marines past, present, and future always have a safety net—because once a Marine, always a Marine.

What is the Marathon De Sables (MDS) ?

The Marathon des Sables (MDS) is the ultimate test of human endurance—a six-day, 250 km (155-mile) ultramarathon through the searing Sahara Desert in Morocco. Dubbed the "Toughest Footrace on Earth," this legendary race is a brutal battle against extreme heat, relentless sand, and pure exhaustion.

What Makes It Insanely Hard?

🔥 Brutal Temperatures – Competitors face scorching daytime heat reaching up to 55°C (131°F), where the sun feels like fire on your skin. At night, temperatures can plummet to near freezing, making recovery even harder.

🏜️ Endless Sand & Harsh Terrain – The course takes runners through towering sand dunes, rocky plateaus, dry riverbeds, and salt flats, where every step is a struggle against shifting ground.

🎒 Self-Sufficient Survival – Runners must carry everything they need—food, sleeping gear, and survival essentials—in a backpack. The only assistance? Limited water rations and a bivouac tent at night.

⏳ Multi-Day Suffering – The longest stage is a gruelling 90+ km (56+ miles), often run through the night, with dehydration, exhaustion, and sandstorms testing even the strongest competitors.

Who Am I and Why ?

As a former Royal Marines Commando, I know firsthand the challenges that come with serving on the front line—and the even greater challenges that can follow after leaving.

I joined the Royal Marines as a teenager, dedicating eight years of my life to serving in some of the world’s toughest environments. From humanitarian operations in Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis to deployments against ISIS in North Africa and Afghanistan, my time in the Corps shaped me in ways I could never have imagined.

Leaving in late 2020, I quickly realised that the transition to civilian life is not always easy. I’ve seen too many fellow Marine struggle, facing battles of a different kind—mental health challenges, loss of purpose, and the weight of their experiences. Some are fighting demons they don’t talk about, and too many suffer in silence.

That’s why I’m raising money for the Royal Marines Charity—because they never stop supporting us, even after we hang up our green berets. They provide a lifeline to those who need it most, ensuring that the Marines of yesterday, today, and tomorrow always have somewhere to turn.

This is my chance to give back to the Corps that gave me everything. Every donation helps ensure that future generations of Royal Marines have the support they deserve—no matter where life takes them after service.

Please donate whatever you can, you will be making a huge difference.

Alex