Conquering the Sahara!

Between 3 - 10 November, 24 intrepid explorers set their sights on the Sahara desert in Morocco, and spent five days in the inhospitable desert. The days were long and tiring. Our trekkers would rise from their sleeping bags at the crack of drawn ready to march over endless sand dunes, climbing steep boulder strewn ridges, and why?


All this is in the name of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Our explorers walked for hours with little or no shade across vast beautiful rocky terrain. Carrying their own water supplies and medical kits, they kept heat exhaustion, tired aching muscles and blisters at bay. Even with long, tiring days, they still mustered the energy to share their experiences round the camp fire at night.


The team spirit was phenomenal and the trek was a roaring success, raising over £60,000. The trekkers were aged between 21 and 59, and they came from all four corners of the UK and Ireland. Every single trekker was remarkable, with their own amazing story to tell. One inspirational figure on the journey was 23-year-old Ethan Young, who has FSH muscular dystrophy. He didn't allow being in a wheelchair to stop him making this epic journey. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign would like to thank the whole group for the amazing effort that they put into this adventure. They are an inspiration to all.

"I would like to thank everybody involved in the journey of my life. I will never ever forget this for a lot of reasons”.
Tony Raper, York

"This has been the best experience of my life, now anything is possible."
Ethan Young, Stirlingshire


"I miss the desert. I miss the challenge and all the people I met. Thanks all for a life changing week”.
Leon Marie Daly, County Tyrone




If their stories have inspired you and you would like to participate in the next trek on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign then contact the events team on 020 7803 4800 or email events@muscular-dystrophy.org. The next challenge event will be to Costa Rica in January 2009.