Sarsen Technology sponsoring Debbie Simpson in the Marathon des Sables for Facing Africa Noma

Every year Sarsen Technology chooses a worthy cause to offer their support. Over the past couple of years we have sponsored the local U10s football team, and one of the two Physics laboratories at the new St Johns School. 

This year we have decided to support Debbie Simpson, who is taking part in the 2013 ‘Marathon des Sables’, an event described as The Toughest Footrace on Earth – a run of 150 miles over 6 days across the Sahara desert, in temperatures that can reach over 100°F. Each competitor has to carry everything they will need during the race (food, clothing, medical supplies etc) on their backs. 

Debbie is raising money for ‘Facing Africa Noma’, a registered UK charity that funds and organises teams of volunteer medical teams to operate on children who have survived the ravages of noma.

Noma is an acute and ravaging gangrenous infection affecting the face. The victims of Noma are mainly children under the age of 6, caught in a vicious circle of extreme poverty and chronic malnutrition. Noma begins with ulcers in the mouth, and without antibiotics develops into gangrene. After the scab falls away a gaping hole is left in the face. The scar tissue restricts jaw movement and a child who survives is unlikely to be able to speak or eat normally again. Facing Africa funds 2 - 3 two-week surgical missions every year to operate on children who have survived noma. Each team achieves 50-55 facial reconstructions, saving those children from becoming social outcasts.

Sarsen Technology is keen to support Debbie in this worthwhile cause, and have pledged to match any sponsorship donations she receives up to £5000. Debbie wants to help at least 12 children receive the surgery necessary to enable them to live a normal life, so her target is £10,000.

Please take a few minutes to take a look at the Facing Africa website: http://www.facingafrica.org  but please be aware, some of these images are distressing.

If you would like to support Debbie in her bid to reach her goal for Facing Africa Noma you can donate online by logging onto the Facing Africa website, clicking ‘Donate now’, the select yes as sponsoring a runner in the MdS. Add Debbie Simpson’s name to the box so your donation is added to her fundraising total.