Marathon des Sables
It's a year now since Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Miss Nicky Lees, completed her last big challenge - the Aspire Channel Swim - and she is now embarking on the next, and biggest one, yet. Next Easter, from 9 to 15 April, she will head to Morocco to take part in the Marathon des Sables, often referred to as the toughest footrace on the planet. It involves running the equivalent of about six marathons over six days, in the Sahara, in temperatures of over 40 degrees, and carrying everything she will need. Miss Lees is fundraising for the NSPCC, and for information on how to donate via Just Giving or by text, and about adding a track to her desert playlist, please read more in Nicky’s own words below:
“I've been planning this adventure for almost two years but now that I've bought my compulsory anti-venom pump (in case of snake bites!), it's all become very real. I'm excited and terrified in equal measure. Why am I doing it? The standard answer to that question has always been "because I can" but this time I really don't know whether I can complete it or not.
One of my main reasons for doing this event is to raise money for the NSPCC, so if anyone would like to make a donation, please visit my page on Just Giving. I have also set up a text code facility, so supporters can text my code, NJLE99, with the amount £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10, to the number 70070. Please note that I do NOT have a charity-funded place for this event, so any money raised will go directly to the NSPCC so that they can help more young people in dire situations.”
Miss Lees welcomes people asking her how the training is going, joining her for a little training run, and even laughing with her at the thought of her carrying almost her body weight in dehydrated meals whilst trying to outrun the rear-guard camel. All sponsorship and moral support will be very gratefully received and Miss Lees invites all sponsors to pick a song to be added to her desert playlist. She promises to listen to all of them but requests upbeat tunes only! There is no need to nominate Highway to Hell - apparently that will be played at full blast on the start line every morning!