AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW, I HAD TO PULL OUT OF THIS RACE THREE DAYS BEFORE THE START FOLLOWING MY DAUGHTER, HADLEY'S, TRAGIC ACCIDENT. I HOPE TO COMPLETE THE RACE NEXT YEAR...

 

On 2 October I'll be starting the third leg of the 4Deserts 250km six-day race series, this time in the Sahara Desert, 200km SW of Cairo, Egypt. http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace/ Where inexperience, altitude and salt flats proved the major tests in the first couple of races, 50C temperatures and soft sand are going to be the big challenges this time round.

 

As with my last two races, I am raising money for a disaster relief charity, Shelterbox. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world are affected by disasters, often leaving them with nothing but the shirts on their backs. Shelterbox has a proven track record since 2001 in providing boxes of aid that provide shelter, warmth and dignity to people in immediate need. Each box supplies an extended family of ten people with a tent, lifesaving water filtration, stoves, pans and basic tools while they are displaced. http://www.shelterbox.org/about.php. The last day of the Atacama race in March coincided with the devastating tsunami that struck Japan. It was gratifying to learn soon afterwards that Shelterbox had provided temporary shelter to over 16,500 people in the months following the disaster.

 

Two races into the 4Desert series I have so far managed to raise almost £11,000, ($17,500) and hoping to add another £5,000 to the total this time round.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. 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 the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

I recognise we are in challenging economic times but all of you receiving this email have a roof over your heads and clothes on your back, something that the intended beneficiaries of this charity suddenly may not have. Thanks in advance for any support!

 

Best,

 

Mark