Nurse raises £3,000 for Naomi House with desert marathon challenge

Laura Chandler, a lead nurse at independent Reading boarding school LVS Ascot, completed the Ultra Saharan Challenge for the Hampshire hospices.

The challenge saw Laura trekking two marathons in two days through rocky trails, red clay Berber villages and the sandy dunes of the Sahara Desert.

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Laura at on the challenge camps in the Sahara (Image: Naomi House & Jacksplace)She had to endure 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 raised more than £3,000 for Naomi House and Jackspace, double 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 the charity.

She 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.

“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 completed this challenge, and thankful for everyone’s support.”

Laura raised £3,000 for Naomi House by completing the Ultra Saharan Challenge (Image: Naomi House & Jacksplace)SEE ALSO: Hampshire Zoo welcomes Paw Patrol stars to special half-term events

Tash Haji, senior fundraiser at Naomi House and 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”.

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

Donations can still be made to Laura’s Just Giving page. To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-chandler13.