On June 14, 2009, 145 participants will attempt to run 250km through the Gobi Desert in China over 7 days.  The race is the Gobi March, one race within the 4 Deserts Race series organized by Racing the Planet.

Six of these competitors have a common goal - raising money and awareness for research and treatment of brain cancer and childhood illnesses.  Some of our very closest friends have been diagnosed with aggresive brain cancer in recent years - Ian Chin in early 2007 and Nathan Strickland in late 2008, and the father of one of our dearest friends, Douglas Collyer, who unfortunately passed away in 2007 after a short brave battle.  The majority of the money raised from our fund raising will go directly to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Centre at Duke University in the USA.  The team at Duke are world leaders in developing a cure for this tragic disease. 

The recent diagnosis of Jill and Andrew’s eldest son Jesse with a rare condition called Perthes Disease has once again highlighted the ongoing need for research and support for families effected by childhood illness, particularly those in less fortunate positions. Other members of our group have also nominated child charities based on issues close to their own hearts or circumstances.