Draft Article – Strathaven Echoes
Desert Rat raises funds for Facing Africa!
Local ultra runner and member of Strathaven Striders, Tony Thistlethwaite, is a competitor in the 23rdMarathon des Sables (MDS) this spring. The MDS, or the Marathon of the Sands, is a 151 mile multi stage endurance race across the SaharaDesert in Morocco. Tony reckons this to be both an exciting and daunting task but is an event he has wanted to take part in for many years.
Regarded as the toughest footrace in the world, Personal Trainer Tony has set himself an equally tough training programme to prepare for it! You need to be a bit daft for this one he says but, critically, properly trained so you are as safe doing it as you can be.
Now he is in the event, starting on 30 March, Tony says he is running it to help raise funds for Facing Africa. This official charity is associated with the UK contingent of the MDS and the event is a key fund raising event for them.
Facing Africa is involved in the prevention and treatment of NOMA (cancrum oris). This is an appalling gangrenous disease and which affects some of the poorest places in Africa. Tony says it is hard to look at the pictures of facial disfigurement on the children affected but that he is determined to raise more than £5,000 for the cause. It needs £800 per patient so that the specialist medical teams can treat the young people suffering. At least 90% of those affected by NOMA die and the 10% who survive are not only disfigured, but also outcast. So, treatment is vital.
By raising funds for these children, Tony says that the blisters and problems he will encounter during the arduous task of running the 7 day MDS event will be nothing by comparison. He feels thatthe thought of helping the children will actually help keep him going to the finish on 5 April.
A special fund raising event is being planned for Saturday 23 February where a fellow strider and renowned UK and International speaker, Chris Moon, will present his experiences of similar endurance events and exploits. Well known Glasgow Band the Heebie Jeebies will also be playing live. Not to be missed, tickets available from TT Lifestyles 07934 622702.
Donations can be made on line to the charity by following the links on Tony’s MDS website