Sir Ranulph Fiennes starts Marathon des Sables

“I’m putting my life on the line for Marie Curie” - Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Whilst most families across the country are tucking into Easter lunch, spare a thought for Sir Ranulph Fiennes who today (Sunday 5th April), begins his attempt to become the oldest Briton to complete the Marathon des Sables – a gruelling six day ultra-marathon in the Moroccan desert.
 
The explorer, who turned 71 in March, will face temperatures of over 50°C and endless sand dunes in a challenge that is dubbed the ‘toughest footrace on Earth’. The race covers 251km including the distance of a marathon a day and a double marathon one day, with runners carrying everything they need on their backs.
 
Despite suffering two heart attacks, undergoing a double heart bypass, a cancer operation and an on-going fight with diabetes, Sir Ranulph is embarking on this monumental challenge to raise money for UK charity Marie Curie.  The money raised will help the charity to provide more free care and support to people living with a terminal illness.
 
Speaking about the impending challenge Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “I’m putting my life on the line for Marie Curie. People say I must be mad, especially as I don’t like the heat, but it’s what you’ve got to do to raise money for amazing charities like Marie Curie, who provide people living with a terminal illness the care they and their family desperately need.”
 
Rory Coleman has completed the Marathon des Sables 11 times and has been training Sir Ranulph, he said: “Sir Ranulph has been through a tough training schedule, and I feel he is now well prepared for what lies ahead. I can’t wait to see him with the finishers’ medal around his neck at the finish line.”
 
Since news of Sir Ranulph’s Marathon des Sables challenge was announced in January, supporters from around the world have been sending him well wishes.  This week the explorer received an extra special message from Prince Charles, who wrote to Sir Ranulph to wish him the very best of luck out in the Sahara.
 
Sir Ranulph Fiennes added: “I have been extremely humbled by the messages of support I have received, not least from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, ahead of this challenge.
 
“After months of training I feel ready to go, and my focus is solely on completing this event in order to support Marie Curie and the marvellous work this charity does for people living with a terminal illness, and their families.”
 
Chief Executive of Marie Curie, Dr Jane Collins said: “We are thrilled and privileged that Sir Ranulph has chosen to undertake another huge challenge for the charity. He has quite literally gone to the end of the earth and back to raise money for Marie Curie. His determination and ability to push himself to his limits is truly inspiring. We hope Sir Ranulph will inspire others to take on their own personal challenge in aid of Marie Curie and help us care for more people living with a terminal illness.”
 
Paul Sykes, long-time supporter of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, said: “Sir Ranulph proves with enormous willpower what can be physically achieved. He is a friend and hero to me and I am proud to support his latest endurance challenge. I have sponsored him to raise funds for Marie Curie before which included the Everest and Eiger challenges. To date sir Ranulph has raised £6.3m for Marie Curie. This has helped the charity reach many more people living with a terminal illness as well as vital emotional support for their families.”
 
To donate to Sir Ranulph’s challenge visit www.justgiving.com/ranulph  or text RUN to 70007 to donate £5 plus a message of support to Sir Ranulph. 
 
For more information and to follow Sir Ranulph’s challenge visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/ranulph

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