As I sit here on a dune in the Sahara desert, surrounded by nothing but sand and sky, looking down to where the amazing DHU group is resting under the shade of a tree following their first very hard and hot morning trek in the desert, it’s impossible not to reflect on why we are here. The Sahara is endless, the silence is profound, broken only by the occasional gust of wind or grunt from a camel over there. "Can you hear that? Steve said. "I can't hear anything" someone said, "exactly" Steve said. The teams eyes closed as they dozed in the shade, and rested their tired limbs, knowing they are here, in the middle of know where, doing what they set out to do.
As I walk through this vast expanse with the team, I realize that this trek is more than just a physical challenge, it's an emotional challenge, a social challenge, a personal challenge, a team challenge, and a way to raise awareness and funds for a cause we all deeply believe in: Cancer Research UK.
Out here, every hot step feels significant. I watch a team member in front of me looking down at his feet as he walks, each step moving him closer to his charity goal, and ultimately closer to his loved ones at home. I copy him, and am transfixed by my metronomic steps which whisk me away from where I am, from the hardship of the challenge, and back home to my children for a few precious moments. I looked at him walking on, and in my mind, I thanked him for giving me those moments. Each step is a reminder of the people we are trying to help. It’s not easy, but that’s the point. The harshness of this desert mirrors the struggles faced by those we aim to help in the UK, and every donation that comes in for Cancer Research UK feels like an extra push to keep going. We all see the difference we can make together, and that's what drives us all to press on when the heat and the tiredness take their toll.
Being out here also brings a deeper connection to nature. The Sahara seems raw and brutal but there’s a beauty, and calmness in its simplicity which I see clearly in the eyes of our nomad guide, Brahim. I'm sure that none of us have ever felt so small, yet so connected to the world around us as we see the desert stretch out before us, and as we gaze at the stars from our sleeping bags before sleeping. With every step, we are reminded how fragile and powerful people and nature can be, and how important it is to take care of our loved ones, and protect nature.
This journey tests a group in ways they might never have expected, as the miles stretch on, the sun beats down, the blisters and sore feet hinder them, and the solitude of the desert forces us all to confront our own thoughts and limitations. Over there I see one of the group tending to a blister with a smile on his face, and near by another red faced team member offering water to our nomad guide before she drinks herself. To see this happiness and kindness in times when I know the group is finding the going tough, is inspiring. This is always where the most growth happens, learning more about ourselves with every new challenge, which benefits our physical and mental health. There’s a different clarity that comes from being stripped of all the distractions and comforts of daily life. Out here, it’s just the DHU team, the sand, the heat, and our very clear purpose.
This trek in the Sahara has become so much more than a fundraiser. It’s a reminder of what really matters, of how much we can achieve when we push ourselves, of how much we can give to others, and how deeply connected we can be to the world and the people around us.
Angus
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