The Who...
Back in 2015, I worked with an MdS finisher whilst volunteering in STEM engagement, and knew straight away that one day I had to do it for myself. The life-goal was set - compete in an MdS by the time I'm 30.

Fast-forward to 2021, and my life changed forever. Critical illness caused by a third-party cost me my health, and rapidly spiralled from there to losing my job(s), home, friends, more-than-friends, and all sense of stability that I had managed to retain through the Covid pandemic. I was ordered off of exercise for at least 2 years, and was told I would likely never be able to continue a career in aviation again. The physical (and later, mental) health concerns also put a stop to the extensive volunteering I devoted to my local communities (including youth work).

Over Christmas 2022/2023, I had finally begun to overcome the impossible. Against all odds, I was not only given the green-light to exercise again, but was offered a glimmer of hope that I would return to my beloved aviation career, and the voluntary community & youth work that I had so dearly missed.

As well as pushing myself to newfound limits, my MdS is not dedicated to my recovery, but to every child globally, now and in the future who is not getting the start in life that they so deserve.  Billions of children live in outright poverty, slavery, or aren't even registered at all to get the basic needs their state/country can provide.  As I return to my extensive voluntary work, I know that despite the gravity of the things I see and encounter, I also know that I cannot improve the life of every child on my own.  There is only one of me, and only so much impact that my policing and youth work can do.  That's why I've been selected to run on behalf of Hope for Children, with a view to us raising £10,000 to aid global projects that improve the lives of disadvantaged children who cannot get the start in life they deserve.

The What...
The Marathon des Sables is a self-sufficient ultramarathon with bare minimum support, racing at least 250km across the Sahara desert. It averages at roughly a marathon per day, with at least one 'long stage' of over double that, and all in blistering 50°C during the days with freezing temperatures overnight.

The MdS’s status as the toughest footrace on Earth didn’t just ‘happen’. In 1984, a 28-year-old French man called Patrick Bauer set out on an epic trek with all he needed to be self-sufficient – covering 200 miles, in 12 days, across the Sahara desert. Patrick returned in 1986 with the desire to create a similar experience for others, and the first ‘Marathon of the Sands’ was run with just 23 competitors.

Fast forward three decades and today MdS attracts an international field of 1,000 runners, 200 journalists and a 400-strong support & management team. Race – and personal – records are set and broken, though not only by humans. In 2019, ‘Cactus’ the dog (real name, Diggedy) joined on the third stage and travelled 192 kms with the competitors. He was later returned to his, complete with his own medal!

The When...
When given the all-clear to exercise again, over Xmas 2022/2023, I was left with just one reasonable chance to accomplish what I'd set myself back in 2015. Backed-into a bit of a corner, I am making my now-or-never effort in the 38th MdS, from 12-22 April 2024.

2024 also marks the 30th birthday of Hope for Children, established in 1994 by Dr Bob Parsons OBE.

It also coincides with the 40th anniversary of Patrick Bauer’s first crossing, giving foundation to the MdS we have today.

The Where...
The MdS traditionally takes place in the Moroccan Sahara Desert. It's a self-sufficient ultramarathon with bare minimum support, racing at least 250km. It averages at roughly a marathon per day, wit