Why On Earth Does He Want To Run MdS?

AN EXTRAORDINARY RACE
FOR EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
IN AN EXTRAORDINARY PLACE

Who could you be if you pushed yourself to your limits? The Marathon des Sables is the stuff of legends – a truly gruelling multi-stage adventure in one of the world's most inhospitable environments, the Sahara Desert. Physically, it is six days' running over 250 kms (156 miles) across endless sand dunes, rocky jebels and white-hot salt plains, carrying what you need to survive on your back.

OK, that's what the website says about the race. It doesn't say why I've decided to enter, nor why I've left it to now.

Those that know me well already know that I keep pushing myself; pushing myself physically and mentally, challenging myself to see just how far I can go and what my limits are.

I have a confession for you — you've fallen for a clickbait headline.

You're here today because you have very generously donated to the charity I am raising money for, Walking With The Wounded.

I'm a veteran, having spent 10 years in the Royal Air Force, I'm also very fortunate to have been able to find help when I have needed it.

Walking With The Wounded recognise the inherent skills of our armed service personnel and want to complement these qualities. They offer assistance through their programmes to those vulnerable veterans who have been physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged by their service and assist them in sustaining their independence through new sustainable careers outside of the military.

The outcome? Sustainable employment, and independence for them and their families.

What they do is important to me, thank you for helping me to support them in a small way.

One of the ways I'm raising money for them is by writing a book — you'll need to read the book to find out why I'm doing this. Sorry!