Liberty Leasing’s Dan Randall and Ed Ockleford are taking on the MDS Legendary 2026 in support of our Charity of the Year, Sophie’s Legacy. Challenges don’t come harder than this, and the pair would greatly welcome any support in the form of donations to this wonderful local charity.
To make a donation, please head over to our Just Giving fundraising page: Liberty Leasing is fundraising for Sophie’s Legacy
MDS Legendary 2026
Setting off to Morocco on the 3rd April, with the challenge starting on the 5th, the pair will be covering an incredible 250 kilometres over six stages in seven days. The Marathon des Sables is famous for its length, intensity and self-sufficient format, meaning Dan and Ed will carry everything they need on their backs as they make their way through endless sand dunes.
Throughout the day, temperatures can soar to around 45°C before plunging to 0°C at night. Each day ends at the “bivouac”, a temporary desert village that moves along the route, giving participants a place to rest, share stories and recover as best as possible in tents of up to 8 people.
Why this challenge?
For both Dan and Ed, this will be their first (and possibly only!) time taking on the challenge. That said, they’re no strangers to pushing their limits. Since lockdown, the pair have embraced trail running in the mountains and participated in ultra-distance events, but this will be their toughest yet.
Adding to the significance of this year’s event, the challenge is celebrating its 40th edition – something particularly meaningful for Ed, who will turn 40 while out in the dunes. What a way to spend your birthday, right?
Why Sophie’s Legacy?
Having heard about the great impact the charity has had, and after meeting Sophie’s mum, Charlotte Fairall, when she spoke at the Liberty Leasing office, Dan and Ed felt inspired to take on this challenge in support of the charity.
Based just five minutes from Liberty House, Sophie’s Legacy was founded in memory of Sophie Fairall, who was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, at just nine years old and tragically passed away a year later.
Her legacy lives on through the incredible work of the charity, which is dedicated to improving the hospital experience for children and their families. From ensuring parents are fed, to improving the quality of food for children, increasing support for play specialists, improving healthcare training to recognise the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer, and funding vital research.
This month, Sophie’s Legacy saw nearly five years of hard work come to fruition as the Government introduced its 10-Year Cancer Plan, something widely campaigned for by the charity and a major milestone in the fight to transform outcomes and experiences for children and young people with cancer.
Remarkably, this will be the second year in a row that a participant in the challenge has carried the flag for the charity!
Good luck in the dunes!
If any pair can successfully take on this challenge, it’s Ed and Dan. Everybody at Liberty is rooting for them, and we wish them the very best as they prepare to face the Sahara for such a great cause.
We welcome you to show your support by donating to this wonderful local charity on our Just Giving fundraising page, here: Liberty Leasing is fundraising for Sophie’s Legacy
