Woodstock teacher completes Sahara ultramarathon to raise £5,600 for Oxfordshire charities

A PE teacher from Woodstock has completed one of the world’s best-known desert endurance races, raising £5,600 for two Oxfordshire charities that support children, young people and families through some of life’s hardest moments.

Lesley Malloch, who teaches at The Marlborough Church of England School in Woodstock, has just returned from the Marathon des Sables Legendary 2026, the multi-stage Sahara event often described as one of the toughest footraces on earth.

Lesley took on the challenge in aid of Oxford Hospitals Charity and SeeSaw Grief Support, two organisations she says are closely connected to the lives of young people she has taught. According to the press information released after the race, she has raised £5,600 so far.

What is the Marathon des Sables?

The Marathon des Sables, or MDS, is the flagship desert race organised by Marathon des Sables and has been running since 1986. The official event website says the MDS Legendary format covers close to 250 kilometres over six stages in seven days, with competitors carrying their own food and sleeping gear in a self-sufficient format. The race’s own rules describe it as a foot race for runners and walkers in which participants must carry a backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other essentials.

The 2026 edition was also a landmark year for the event, marking its 40th anniversary. Organisers said the final total for this year’s race came to 270 kilometres, with competitors facing a punishing final stage in sandstorm, rain and strong winds.

Why Lesley chose Oxford Hospitals Charity and SeeSaw

Lesley’s fundraising pages say she chose to support Oxford Hospitals Charity and SeeSaw with two former students, Zak and Gethin, very much in mind. On her fundraising page for Oxford Hospitals Charity, she says both organisations have supported young people and families through “incredibly difficult moments” and that their impact is “real, lasting, and close to home”.

Oxford Hospitals Charity says it supports wards and departments across the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford Children’s Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital, helping fund equipment, facilities, research and support for patients and staff.

SeeSaw, meanwhile, provides grief support for children, young people and families in Oxfordshire when a parent, carer or sibling is dying or has died. The charity says it has more than 25 years’ experience and supports more than 500 bereaved children each year.

“Brilliant and brutal in equal measure”

In comments released after the race, Lesley described the event as “brilliant and brutal in equal measure”, saying the challenge had tested her both physically and mentally but left her with “the most incredible experience”.

She said training had been far removed from ordinary marathon preparation, with sand running, carrying a weighted pack and heat preparation all becoming part of the build-up. On her fundraising pages, she had described the race as “over 250 km” in temperatures hitting 50C, while carrying food, kit and survival essentials on her back.

She also said the challenge had helped show what she was capable of, adding that raising money for two local charities made every step feel worthwhile.

Local support for a global challenge

Although the race took place in the Sahara, the impact of the fundraising is much closer to home. Oxford Hospitals Charity said it was “in awe” of Lesley’s achievement, while SeeSaw said the money raised would make “a real difference for bereaved children and young people across Oxfordshire”.

For local readers, the story is a reminder that some of the biggest endurance challenges on earth are being taken on not by elite professional athletes, but by people rooted in everyday county life, in this case a teacher from Woodstock fundraising for two charities with deep local ties.

FAQs

What is the Marathon des Sables?

The Marathon des Sables is a multi-stage endurance race in the Sahara Desert. The official MDS Legendary format covers around 250km over six stages in seven days in self-sufficient conditions.

How far did Lesley Malloch run?

The race is usually described as being close to 250km, but Marathon des Sables organisers said the 2026 edition finished after 270km.

Which charities did she support?

Lesley fundraised for Oxford Hospitals Charity and SeeSaw Grief Support.

What does SeeSaw do?

SeeSaw supports children, young people and families in Oxfordshire when someone close to them is terminally ill or has died. The charity says it supports more than 500 bereaved children each year.

What does Oxford Hospitals Charity support?

The charity supports hospitals across Oxfordshire, including the John Radcliffe, Churchill, Oxford Children’s Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General.