Andrew Elder
Fire&Ice Challenge-Part 2-Death Valley
Fundraising for Brain & Spine Foundation
Story
Thanks for visiting my fundraising page, supporting me in my journey and above all helping sufferers of brain disease and injury.
Brain and spine disorders are more common than most think. Effecting more than ten million people in the UK they are the most common cause of death and disability in the population. Almost everyone at some point in their lives will be effected in some way by them, whether personally or through friends or family...
...and they devastate patients' and families' lives. Recently I have been moved to do what I can about it when 2 friends, both with young families, saw their own lives turned upside down as they began their battle with brain tumours.
On the 11th July 2005 I will set off on the second leg of my endeavour to be the first Briton to complete the hottest and coldest ultra-marathons on earth - across the frozen tundra of the Arctic circle and through the infamous heat of Death Valley, USA.
The Badwater Death Valley Ultramarathon is a non-stop 135 mile footrace across the hottest place on earth. Running in temperatures of up to 130 degrees, and on a road surface of up to 200 degrees, it is not uncommon for shoes to melt. Combined with an elevation of 20,000 feet and a drop of 12,000 feet over it's course, it is clear why this race is known in "ultra circles" as the toughest one there is. Running such a distance obviously takes months of preparation and hard work training. However, surviving and competing in such an extreme environment requires an added dimension of preparation - acclimatisation. The answer - using a walk-in oven and dry saunas every day for 6 weeks prior to the race - no stone can be left unturned in preparation. As well as setting myself the challenge of a lifetime, I am also aiming to raise £40,000 for the Brain and Spine Foundation. Your contribution to this sum will, without doubt, play a crucial role in the success of the endeavour. Please dig deep and sponsor me as much as you can. This is the most efficient way for me to raise money and every single penny really helps. If you are a UK taxpayer your donation will be increased by almost a third at no cost to you. Many thanks for your support. Andrew
Brain and spine disorders are more common than most think. Effecting more than ten million people in the UK they are the most common cause of death and disability in the population. Almost everyone at some point in their lives will be effected in some way by them, whether personally or through friends or family...
...and they devastate patients' and families' lives. Recently I have been moved to do what I can about it when 2 friends, both with young families, saw their own lives turned upside down as they began their battle with brain tumours.
On the 11th July 2005 I will set off on the second leg of my endeavour to be the first Briton to complete the hottest and coldest ultra-marathons on earth - across the frozen tundra of the Arctic circle and through the infamous heat of Death Valley, USA.
The Badwater Death Valley Ultramarathon is a non-stop 135 mile footrace across the hottest place on earth. Running in temperatures of up to 130 degrees, and on a road surface of up to 200 degrees, it is not uncommon for shoes to melt. Combined with an elevation of 20,000 feet and a drop of 12,000 feet over it's course, it is clear why this race is known in "ultra circles" as the toughest one there is. Running such a distance obviously takes months of preparation and hard work training. However, surviving and competing in such an extreme environment requires an added dimension of preparation - acclimatisation. The answer - using a walk-in oven and dry saunas every day for 6 weeks prior to the race - no stone can be left unturned in preparation. As well as setting myself the challenge of a lifetime, I am also aiming to raise £40,000 for the Brain and Spine Foundation. Your contribution to this sum will, without doubt, play a crucial role in the success of the endeavour. Please dig deep and sponsor me as much as you can. This is the most efficient way for me to raise money and every single penny really helps. If you are a UK taxpayer your donation will be increased by almost a third at no cost to you. Many thanks for your support. Andrew