Running a marathon is considered one of the most physical and mentally challenging feats someone can undertake. However, for Nunthorpe local, Roy White, he has decided to go a little further and take on the 39^th Marathon Des Sables this year. The ‘toughest footrace on Earth’ with temperatures reaching up to 45°C, Roy will be running a gruelling 250km over 6 stages in 7 days across the Sahara Desert.

The 53-year-old IT veteran has always enjoyed running, but his main running journey began a couple years ago after facing health challenges. Starting with the ‘Couch to 5K’ program, he now completes half marathons for fun multiple times a week and has gone onto finishing the Great North Run twice, plus a 50K ultra in Herrington Country Park Sunderland, all while raising vital funds for our Children’s Hospice.

Roy’s Marathon Des Sables journey began last year after catching up with an old friend who finished the race in 2023. “Sometimes the biggest adventures in life start with a simple conversation… and maybe a pint!” After researching the event, Roy soon after signed himself up for the monumental challenge in Morocco, choosing to again run for Butterwick’s Children Hospice.

We asked Roy why he chose to run for Butterwick’s Children Hospice. “My connection to Butterwick Hospice is deeply personal. They were there for my nephew Zack Gray and his parents (Julie and Steve) during their most challenging times, providing care and support when it mattered most. Zack would have celebrated his 22nd birthday this year – a milestone that reminds me daily of why supporting Butterwick Children’s Hospice is so important. Their compassionate care touches so many local families, and my mission is to ensure they can continue this vital work. Every step I take in the Sahara will be in memory of Zack and in support of the amazing team at Butterwick who make such a difference to families.”

Our Children’s Hospice is a place filled with love and light. With fully equipped bedrooms, sensory spaces, play areas, a beautiful garden and self-contained accommodation for families, our team of specialist nurses and health care assistants are there to make sure your child receives the absolute best level of care possible. We are there to provide specialist care for children with complex conditions and support for their families.

To understand how Roy is preparing for the huge task ahead, we asked him how his training is going. With the event being 6 weeks away, Roy is working closely with a specialist coach for the Marathon Des Sables and his training has increased to doing back-to-back half marathons during the week, while doing two marathons at the weekend! Roy told us, “The Secret Weapon? Mental Strength is ‘The’ biggest lesson so far: running on tired legs teaches you that your mind, not your body, sets the limits. It’s amazing how far you can push when your mental game is strong!”

Roy believes the scorching heat will be the biggest challenge he faces. “You can train for distance, you can practice with weight, but replicating the Sahara’s brutal conditions in the UK? That’s a different story! The key will be adaptability – being ready to face whatever the desert throws at me.”

Everyone at Butterwick Hospice would like to thank Roy for taking on this inspiring challenge and sharing his story with us. If you would like to support Roy, you can donate to his JustGiving page here – https://www.justgiving.com/page/roy-white-1721571898710