Here at charity HQ, we’re quite used to hearing about people’s crazy ideas for fundraising – but even we were bowled over when we heard Mark’s proposal. Mark Fuszard is an aircrew paramedic with over six years of experience flying on the helicopter, and to ‘relax’ he likes nothing more than a spot of kayaking, mountain biking, swimming or running! In the past he has run the London marathon in a time of 4h 55mins, and as one of his many fundraising efforts for the air ambulance he has also run the Brighton marathon.

This time though, he doesn’t just want to run one marathon. He wants to run five…in five days…in the desert! The Namib Desert Challenge (www.namibdesertchallenge.com) takes place on March 26^th-30^th 2012; over the five days the competitors will run a total distance of 220km across desert terrain, including the Sesreim Canyon and finishing with the two highest dunes in the world.

Needless to say, Mark’s already started training and is running around 7 miles every morning before work; he’s very determined to complete this challenge, and has set himself the fundraising target of £10,000. He is seeking major sponsorship for running equipment and other costs, but there are many ways you can donate to his fundraising pot;

-          Visit www.justgiving.com/namibchallenge to donate online

-          Text HELI81 to 70070 to donate £3 via JustTextGiving (free message on all networks & 100% goes to the cause)

-          Send a cheque payable to Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust to charity HQ, marked ‘Mark Fuszard’ on the back

-          Donate at one of the bucket shakes organised so far;

Asda Bodmin on 21^st October

Asda St. Austell on 29^th & 30^th October

Asda Bodmin on 25^th November

Asda Bodmin on 2^nd December

You can leave your messages of support for Mark, help promote his fundraising efforts and follow his training updates & fundraising progress via the Facebook page ‘Mark’s Namib Desert Challenge’.