Dreams Come True, the UK’s only national wish-granting charity exclusively supporting children living in the highest areas of deprivation, is being supported by an intrepid fundraiser taking on one of the most extreme endurance challenges on the planet.
Ivor Stratford is set to tackle the Marathon des Sables, widely regarded as the world’s toughest foot race, covering approximately 270km across the unforgiving Sahara Desert in Morocco.
Through this extraordinary feat, he is raising vital funds to help make life-changing dreams come true for children living with serious illnesses, disabilities and life-limiting conditions while growing up in poverty.
The Sahara Desert is a long way from the streets of Britain, where Dreams Come True supports children in the most deprived areas living with a disability, a serious illness or a life-limiting condition.
But as Ivor takes on this relentless test of endurance, resilience and mental strength, he is doing so with a clear purpose, to support children facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
As he set off to the start line in the desert at the beginning of April, Ivor was feeling positive.
He said: “I’m feeling pretty good. I’m looking forward to getting it done, but don’t want to wish it away.
“I feel like I’ve prepared as well as I can, while knowing there’s a lot I can’t prepare for. I’ve gone through lots of different scenarios in my head, but I know I can’t control everything. So, I’m trying to think about it, but not overthink it.”
The Marathon des Sables will push competitors to their absolute limits, with intense heat, punishing rocky climbs, endless sand dunes and disorientating sand storms forming the backdrop to this legendary race. Participants must carry everything they need on their backs and endure long, gruelling stages including a 100km stretch to be completed within 40 hours.
What makes Ivor’s challenge even more remarkable is his personal journey. Just four years ago, he could barely run five kilometres and was struggling both physically and mentally.
Ivor, 34, said: “I didn’t necessarily realise it then, but I was in a bad place. I was overweight and drinking too much. I was deeply unhappy. In May 2022 my wife came home to find me on the phone to the Samaritans saying I didn’t want to be here anymore.”
It was around that time that Ivor’s colleague, Gus Lambert, also a supporter of Dreams Come True, was fundraising for the 2022 London Marathon.
He added: “I quipped that I’d love to do a marathon too. He must have gone away and talked to Dreams Come True because within 10 minutes, he came back and said ‘You’re in!’ When he told me about the charity helping children from the most social deprived areas of the country with disabilities and life-limiting conditions, I couldn’t really say no. So, that’s how the running and my connection with the charity started. That one conversation changed everything.”
Now 34, Ivor has transformed his life. He has been alcohol-free for four years and has completed multiple endurance events, raising thousands of pounds for Dreams Come True along the way.
Ivor said: “Dreams Come True tells me how grateful they are, but I have so much appreciation and gratitude for the people there for giving me the opportunity to do that first marathon. I don’t know where I would be if that hadn’t happened.
“Now I am in a completely different place and so much of that is down to looking after myself, feeling proud of myself and doing something with a purpose.”
Half of the £10,000 he hopes to raise will support Dreams Come True, with the remainder going to the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted, which cared for his grandfather.
Despite the brutal conditions and unknowns of the route, Ivor remains determined to push himself as far as possible.
He added: “I’ve been obsessed with the race for years. I know there will be times when I think ‘What am I doing?’ but as soon as it’s over, I’ll probably want to go again.
“I’ll miss my wife, my dog and my home comforts, but humans are pretty good at adapting so I am hoping that after a couple of days it will start to feel almost normal. I’m also looking forward to meeting some very interesting fellow race goers. I’m sure many of them will have a tale to tell.”
Training through the British winter has meant simulating extreme conditions wherever possible, from weighted treadmill runs to deliberately overheating to prepare for the desert environment.
During the darkest and most physically demanding moments, it is the children Dreams Come True supports who will keep him moving forward.
Ivor said: “When I am doing a long run and feeling awful, I always remind myself that I have a choice. The people the charity supports don’t have a choice about the situation they are in. So, when I am in the middle of the Sahara, whinging or complaining about sleeping in the sand, I’ll remind myself to get over it and keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
Lisa King OBE, CEO of Dreams Come True, said: “Ivor’s determination to take on the Marathon des Sables for Dreams Come True is truly inspiring. Challenges like this not only raise vital funds but also shine a light on the children we support every day. Thanks to supporters like Ivor, we can continue delivering life-changing dreams that bring joy, hope and confidence to children facing the toughest circumstances.”
To sponsor Ivor, visit: https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/9844/marathon-des-sables-2026/
