Hello, thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On 25 March 2022 I will be setting off on the biggest challenge of my life so far.  I will fly out to Morocco to take part in the 36th Marathon des Sables.  For those who don't know what this is, it's widely regarded to be the "Toughest Footrace on Earth" - it is a self-supported 250km race over 6 days across the Sahara Desert in conditions that can reach 50 degree highs and endure blinding Sandstorms, endless miles of mountain high soft Dunes, arid dry river beds, sharing a tent with 7 strangers, and nightmares about Scorpions and Camel Spiders - which I'm still too scared to Google!!  All whilst carrying a backpack that will weigh in the region of 9-10KG (that's the same as running with a fully grown Beagle dog strapped to your body!!).

The question most people ask is, WHY?!!

Well there are 2 reasons.  Firstly  I've been fascinated by the MdS for about 15 years when I first met someone who was "hardening his feet" so he could take part in this race across the desert!  I remember looking into it and thinking how amazing it sounded but there was no way on earth I could ever do it.  Over the past few years though, I've learnt that I can push my body through bigger and bigger challenges and come out the other end smiling and exhilarated at my achievement and now I want to know just what I'm capable of!  Will I be able to complete this?  Will I be able to cope with the endurance?  Will I cope with the pain and the dark moments when I want to give up? Can I do this on my own without Scott to keep me company?  There's only one way to find out!!

Secondly, and by far the biggest driver is Dad.  On 12th March 2020 Dad lost his short sharp battle with cancer, and losing the person who has had the biggest influence on your life and has shaped the person you are today, makes you evaluate what you do yourself.   No one ever forgot meeting my dad, he had a wicked sense of humour, a smile that could light up the darkest of spaces and a hug that warmed you to the core of your soul.  Throughout his treatment he always had a smile on his face, a cheeky wink for the prettiest nurse on the ward or a wisecrack to make in the face pf pain.  I've been left feeling that if Dad can fight his way through the pain and turmoil of cancer with such positivity and determination then I can get myself across the desert.  Dad didn't win his battle, but he never gave up fighting it and that is the inspiration I will hold on to during every 1 of those 250km.

The staff and facilities at The Christie are world class, but cancer still continues to take those we love from us in a way that is heartbreaking to watch.  Any money you are able to donate to them will help to ensure that someone can travel through their cancer journey better and may even help them survive.  It will also really help me to keep positive and keep moving forward knowing that what I am doing will be raising money towards such an important cause.

If you want to follow my progress through my training or want to track me during the race then all my stories will be on my instagram account @girlscanrun

Thank you once again for your support,

Charlotte (& Dad who I know will be with me every step of the way)

xxx

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