Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

For the last six months I have been in training for a huge challenge that is now fast approaching! I am competing in this year's Atacama Crossing, a 250km ultra-marathon over 7 days across the Atacama desert in Chile.  The Atacama is the driest desert on earth, and is where Nasa test their space vehicles.  The event involves racing in temperatures up to 40 degrees at altitudes up to 3,000m, carrying all of my food and clothing for the week on my back (c.10kg).  Essentially, I'll be completing a marathon on each of the first four days and then nailing almost a double marathon on day 5 (they are kind enough to give me day 6 free though to complete the double marathon in case it takes over 24hrs!).  If you want more of a flavour, watch this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXM9tSlPA_I

My training has involved many days (and nights) running through the English countryside with a heavy pack, over hills and along shingle beaches.  I feel prepared, albeit nothing can really prepare anyone for this!!  Its going to be an immense test that hopefully I will be able to complete.

In order to put such a formidable challenge to good use, I want to raise as much money as possible for Epilepsy Research UK, a charity that means a lot to me as one of my brothers has had epilepsy since a young age. I have seen the impact it can have and the challenges he has had to face and would like to raise funds to support further research into this condition. I am therefore going to be running for Epilepsy Research UK in Chile.  Please support me in this challenge and give generously.

Thank you for your support and, if you would like to follow the gory details of my progress day by day, let me know and I'll send you a link to my blog from the desert. Tune in from the 6th March...