My name is James and I’m an ex-Army officer. As a way to support the Armed Forces community (and to fill the hours during lockdown) I decided to take on the infamous Marathon des Sables (MdS) – a 150-mile stage-race across the Sahara Desert. I will be raising funds for Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), a UK charity that supports disadvantaged veterans and their families, empowering them to regain their independence, thrive and contribute in our communities.
They have adapted excellently to operating under the COVID  lockdowns and continue to support our ex-service community during this difficult time.

For those who don’t know, the MdS was billed as The Toughest Footrace on Earth by the Discovery Channel. Competitors take on six marathons in six days across the scorching Sahara Desert in temperatures rising to 50 degrees Celcius.  The rules require you to be self-sufficient, to carry with you on your back everything except water that you need to survive. On the dreaded ‘Long Day’ I will have to complete a double-marathon (c50 miles) including a cheeky slog across the dunes.  

In 2020, there was a 55% drop-out rate – it was that brutal.

The event starts on 25 March, the countdown is very much on and I am building up the miles. The London Marathon last October was a great tester, breaking in my trail shoes and backpack on a warm October day around Richmond Park. Since then, I have relocated to Devon and every footstep on every run now contends with gales off the Atlantic.

Those who know me will know that I am no athlete and certainly not a runner – this was always going to be a huge challenge but it is a cause I am prepared to suffer for. My goal is to reach £5,000 in sponsorship and I would be delighted if any of you would consider contributing.

Several sadistic ‘friends’ have suggested spicing up the
ask, so here goes:

• Every week I take my backpack out for a 5kg weighted run; for every person who sponsors me that week, I will add 1kg to the
  backpack.

• My new home in Devon is at the top of a steep hill and every week I take on a hill-rep session. For every £100 of sponsorship
  each week, I will add another hill rep to the session

Please also follow me and WWTW on Twitter via the handles 

@James_DevonDad and @supportthewalk

Retweets and follows are a great way to show support and do lead to complete strangers donating, for which I am extremely grateful. If you’d like to know about WWTW then check out their website Welcome - Walking With The Wounded and specifically their WWTWImpactReport2020.pdf (walkingwiththewounded.org.uk)