The Challenge

Charlie Champion has decided to run the Marathon des Sables (MdS), a 150 mile extreme marathon across the Sahara Desert, through sand dunes and across rocky desert, in temperatures up to 50°C during the day and dropping to 5°?C at night. The race comprises 6 stages over 7 days, the toughest stages being the 20 mile "Dunes" stage and the 50 mile continuous day and night stage. Competitors must carry all their food and equipment except for the open tent that is erected by race organisers. Water is provided at a rate of 9 litres per day, and this must be personally rationed by the runners, to conserve it for use during the more difficult stages.

Charlie has run the London marathon twice and is looking forward to quite a different experience through this new challenge. In 2001, Charlie tore his Achilles tendon and Gastrocnemius (calf muscle) playing rugby in Singapore. This severe injury left him immobile for a year and ended his rugby career, which is when he decided to run his first marathon in 2003.

The Charity

Charlie will run the MdS in support of the Six Counties Kidney Patients Association (SCKPA). The SCKPA, which is run by kidney patients, their families and friends, offers the following support to other suffering patients and their families. The SCKPA:

• Provides emotional and financial support and improved care when the NHS is unable to do so
• Helps to fund major building and refurbishment projects at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. At present they are involved in raising the millions of £s needed to bring both the Renal and Transplant Wards up to 21st Century standards.
• Supports kidney research and are active, together with the Transplant Centre, in raising the general public's awareness about the need for organ donation.
• Provides expert information from consultants and nephrologists who present updates at regular meetings for patients.
• Provides money for all of the kidney units in the 6 counties which make life easier for kidney patients.

Charlie's father John was diagnosed with Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease (APKD) in 1997, a disease where cysts develop on the kidneys. As John's kidneys deteriorated and after 6 months of haemodialysis, John was donated a kidney by his sister Liz, in June 1999, and so far, the transplant has been successful. The disease is hereditary, and so both Charlie and his brother, James have very early symptoms of the disease which will probably manifest itself more deeply later in life. The SCKPA played a major role in supporting John through APKD. Charlie's mother, Bobbie also received much help from the SCKPA, as she researched the implications of dialysis and the demands of being a carer.

Links

For updates on Charlie's progress, visit: http://charleschampion.saharamarathon.co.uk/

For more information about the Marathon des Sables, visit : http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/