2 Marathons across the Sahara for Naomi & Jack

Laura Chandler, a Reading local and lead nurse at independent boarding school, LVS Ascot, completed two marathons in two days across the Sahara Desert in 40-degree temperatures for Naomi House & Jacksplace.

The Ultra Saharan Challenge was a Moroccan adventure which involved trekking two marathons in two days through rocky trails, red clay Berber villages and the sandy dunes of the Sahara Desert. Laura endured the sweltering temperatures of the desert, with temperatures on day one of the challenge reaching 41 degrees, and the rough terrain, going through the Draa Valley and sleeping under the stars in a Bedouin style campsite.

Laura Chandler, said:

The Saharan double marathon was the toughest challenge of my life. I experienced brutal temperatures and we didn’t have shade for hours at a time. The uneven terrain involved tackling steep hills, rock plains and boulders. It pushed me to my limits but it’s something I am forever going to be proud of.

— Laura Chandler

laura standing in the desert in front of some palm trees

laura walking through the desert with drought land with the blue sky in the horizon

Laura raised over £3,000 for Naomi House & Jacksplace, doubling her initial fundraising target of £1,500. During Laura’s nursing career, she previously cared for children that used the hospice services at Naomi House & Jacksplace, which inspired her to take on this challenge for our hospices.

Laura Chandler, said:

Naomi House & Jacksplace is a lifeline for many people. I chose to fundraise for them in memory of a little boy I cared for years ago. I felt like he was looking down on me and helping me get through the toughest parts of the journey. I am so proud to have raised so much money for the charity and completing this challenge, and thankful for everyone’s support.

— Laura Chandler

a big group of people are standing in the desert with palms and little mountain of rocks behind them

a group of people walking in a line through the dark with the sunset and horizon in the distance

laura smiling with her visor hat on, while walking through the desert

laura and another woman are sitting down in front of a tent having completed their challenge

Tash Haji, Senior Fundraiser at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said:

We are in awe of the magnitude of the challenge that Laura took on in aid of our hospices. Not just the challenge itself, but her dedication to training for the challenge was so inspiring. Thank you, Laura. The amount you have raised is incredible, and will help us to support local life threatened and life limited children, young adults and their families.

— Tash Haji

laura standing with two other people that completed the saharan challenge, with their medals in front of a 42km sign

The money raised from Laura’s Ultra Saharan Challenge will help our hospices continue to provide specialist hospice care to hundreds of life limited and life threatened children, young adults and their families from across central southern England.

Donations can still be made to Laura’s JustGiving page.

2 Marathons across the Sahara for Naomi & Jack

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