Three friends reunite to tackle a gruelling Sahara desert challenge

Three university friends, whose jobs and careers have taken them to different parts of the world, will reunite next month (April) to take on a challenge of a lifetime to raise £30,000 and help end child cruelty.

Tom Chapman, Alex Hearn and Tim Towler, all 30 years old from London and Hampshire are preparing to take on Marathon Des Sables, the race will start on the 6 April 2018 and span across six days in the Moroccan Sahara desert.

This multi-stage race has been hailed as the toughest footrace on earth. Spanning over 150 miles, in 120 degrees Fahrenheit whilst carrying a weeks’ worth of supplies in a backpack – this truly will be an unforgettable experience for the team of three, who aim to raise a whopping £30,000 for the NSPCC.

The friends who met whilst at Exeter University believe that every child deserves an even playing field.

Tim Towler from Hampshire is currently serving in Iraq with the British Army. Tim is slightly more accustomed to the heat and so has had a head start on the team’s training. He said “It’s been great to have another focus out here and to have something to train for. The MdS is a massive challenge and doing it for such an important cause is a real privilege.”

Alex Hearn, from Wandsworth has been taking time away from his IT business and pregnant wife to run the MdS, he said “I’m slightly terrified by the prospect of what’s ahead, I am a fair skinned Londoner with a natural comfort in grey skies and drizzle, not blazing Saharan heat. This, along with a bad experience running a hotter than expected Paris Marathon 5 years ago makes the idea of 250km in 45 degrees feel out of reach. However, knowing the impact of the money we are raising has become more than enough drive to yomp around Richmond Park every weekend and get prepared. I am looking forward to getting on with it”.

Tom Chapman is currently living and working in LA with an international entertainment agency that manages celebrity talent said: “I’m not a natural runner, so training has been tough. For the last 6 months I’ve had a pretty limited social life in my new city of Los Angeles, but it’s been a great way to test myself physically and explore the great outdoors. Nothing can adequately prepare us for what we will be experiencing in the Sahara, so I’m both excited and nervous”.

Maddison Hucks, Community Fundraising Manager said “This is a huge challenge that Tom, Alex and Tim have taken on board. Thank you so much for choosing to do this in aid of the NSPCC. Every mile that is run for the NSPCC and every penny raised will mean that when a child needs help, the NSPCC can reach them.

“£30,000 is a huge amount; children contact NSPCC’s Childline every 25 seconds and this amount is enough to run Childline for a whole day.”

If you would like to sponsor and donate, you can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alextimtommds2018

To find out more about fundraising for the NSPCC, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/do-your-own-fundraising

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