I'll let you into a little secret and hopefully in return you'll donate a little money.

Our dad, Richard Balukiewicz, has completed the 'toughest footrace on earth', the Marathon des Sables, a humongous feat of pure human endurance of mind, body and spirit!

The MdS is a multi day ultra marathon run in 6 days over a course of about 255kms. Not only is it a completely self sufficient race with competitors carrying everything they need on their backs (including an anti-venom pump), but water is rationed and strict timelines mean stages have to be completed within a certain period of time or the competitor is disqualified. The MdS is the equivalent of running from London to Dover, deciding not to go to France after all and running back again through sand dunes in 50+ degree heat with a backpack carrying all your food.

Dad began training 10 months ago building up to longer and more strenuous walks carrying a heavy rucksack. In the last two weeks prior to the race, he had been training in a heat chamber to acclimatise to the sahara desert conditions. Preparation included trimming off every gram possible which started with him losing 5 stone of his own body weight and finished with substituting one plastic bag for another in order to save a whole gram. He even waited until the night before his flight to get his hair cut! He road tested every energy bar, gel, and powder possible and even mum is now an expert on ultra marathon nutrition and the protein to calorie ratio of peanut oil.

At 63 he was the 2nd oldest Brit to take part in 2015's race, beaten only by Sir Ranulph Fiennes! 

Before he left for Morocco dad told us not to tell anyone what he was doing in case he couldn't finish the race and then he wouldn't let anyone down. However there is a time to be modest and this is not it so we have been fundraising in secret on his behalf! 

Not a stranger to challenges, this was the most gruelling and incredible adventures of his life. We are overcome with pride for what our humble dad has taken on and what he has achieved.

Please help us to show support for how amazing he is by donating whatever you can to his chosen charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

HE DID IT!

Thank you for all your support 

Kim and Rob x