Debbie Simpson set to cross the finish line tonight!

As we speak, Debbie is on the final stage of her epic Marathon des Sables adventure.

She has already completed over 180km in just 4 days, but has another 42km to complete before she hits the finish line. Yesterday’s stage was a massive 75.7km from Taourirt Mouchanne to Jebel el Mraïer. Check out today’s route here.

Stage 5 Part 1!

There have been over 52 ‘Abandonments’ so far, but Debbie is still going strong, with a position of 770 out of nearly 1200 people, so she’s doing fantastically well! 

Debbie is running the Marathon des Sables to raise money for Facing Africa, a charity which funds 2 teams of highly skilled and experienced volunteer surgeons from the UK, Germany, France and Holland, sending them to Ethiopia each year to provide reconstructive facial surgery for victims of noma.

In addition to the surgery, Facing Africa also encourages local doctors, surgeons and nurses to attend lectures and presentations done by our volunteers in order to teach them new and better procedures and techniques. Ethiopian surgeons are invited to observe and assist during surgery. Facing Africa also donates surgical instruments, consumables and disposables to Ethiopian hospitals at the end of each mission.

It’s not too late to join Sarsen and sponsor Debbie in her bid to reach her goal for Facing Africa Noma - you can still donate online by going to the Facing Africa website, clicking ‘Donate now’, then 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.

We can't wait to hear all about her adventures when she gets back!

Sarsen Wishes Debbie Simpson Best of Luck at the Start of the Marathon des Sables

Following our blog post from last summer, the time has finally arrived for Debbie Simpson to make her way to the start line of the Marathon des Sables.

Debbie leaves for Morocco tomorrow, reaching the Sahara by Friday. She will have some time to prepare in camp on Saturday, completing her admin and medical checks, and then the race begins Sunday 7th April, finishing Saturday 12th... 156 miles in total!

The MdS began in 1986, after Frenchman Patrick Bauer, at the age of 28, set off alone across an uninhabited section of the Sahara carrying a pack weighing 35kg containing all his food and water. He travelled on foot for 12 days and covered 350km. From this experience sprang his idea to set up the challenge which became known as the Marathon des Sables.

“After a year of training in which I've run, jogged, trotted, shuffled, stumbled and trudged 1500-2000 miles I am relieved to be contemplating the start line injury-free ... not so delighted with my starting pack of around 10kg - trying to run with the equivalent of 10 bags of sugar is not fun but I'll look forward to my pack getting lighter as the miles tick by ...”.

Debbie's kit weighs around 10kg at the start of the race

Debbie is raising money for Facing Africa, a charity that funds life-saving surgery for children affected by Noma. Noma is a gangrenous infection of the face, which leads to tissue destruction and ulceration. The progression of the disease can be halted with the use of antibiotics and improved nutrition; however, its physical effects are permanent and require reconstructive plastic surgery to repair. This is why charities like Facing Africa are so important.

“A huge thank you to everyone for your amazingly generous sponsorship - my total is now over £11,000, including the £5000 from Sarsen Technology. This is enough to fund surgery for more than 15 children afflicted with Noma. Heartfelt thanks to everyone for the wonderful support over the past year, so many people in numerous ways have encouraged, advised, teased, questioned, fed and hugged me .. How could I possibly not succeed? ”

We will catch up with Debbie when she returns to the UK to find out how she got on in the equivalent of six regular marathons!

Debbie, the Sarsen Team wish you the best of luck!!

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.