Local nurse’s marathon effort through the Sahara to raise money for dementia research

In the NHS nurses often go the extra mile in their line of work. However, at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), one nurse decided to go further to pursue a passion of hers.

Katie Holmstrom has worked for the CWP Living Well Service for four years and describes herself as a “just an ordinary person”. But this year she did something extraordinary. She completed the Marathon Des Sables, a 155 mile, six day ultra marathon across the Sahara Desert, the largest desert in the world.

She raised £6,000 for Dementia Research and Alzheimer’s UK in the process.

The Marathon Des Sables is roughly the equivalent of six marathons, across six stages in exceptionally challenging conditions in the Moroccan Sahara. Temperatures can range between 35 and 52 degrees Celsius. Those taking part have to be entirely self sufficient carrying their own food and equipment, with organisers providing only water and shelter. The race’s fifth stage includes a “100km long day” stage that often runs overnight.

The first Marathon Des Sables was run in 1986, so 2026 marked the 40^th anniversary of the race. Taking part in the Marathon Des Sables has always been a dream of Katie’s.

Kate explains:

“Taking part in the race had always been a long-term personal ambition of mine, but I never really thought people like me do it. But I’ve always enjoyed running and have completed a couple of marathons, namely the London marathon 25 years ago and the Snowdonia half marathon more recently.

“So I’ve run for years and so I suddenly thought, maybe I can do this? Plus, I’m 64 and I thought I might as well give it a go and do it for all of the invisible over-60 females out there to show we can still achieve things.

“Once I’d set my mind on taking part, the charities I chose were obvious. My mum died with Alzheimer’s disease, and I’d always wanted to do something positive to help further efforts to support and treat those with the condition. It really was a huge motivating factor once I’d decided to take part.”

The two charities that Katie chose to run for were exceptionally close to Katie’s heart.

Katie says:

“A lot of people don’t realise the emotional and practical impact that dementia can have on people who live with the condition and their families. I’ve known personally two people with dementia and it is really challenging. My mum was physically fine and thankfully didn’t lose speech. But she couldn’t remember one minute to next and was unable to live safely independently. My mother-in-law on the other hand did lose speech, and did not recognise her family. Caring for her was exceptionally challenging.

“My hope is that raising money for research will help improve early diagnosis, support independent living, develop treatments and technologies and also enable better support for families and carers.”

With this motivation, as well as her ambitions as a runner, Katie’s training began and then the race itself.

She says:

“Training involved a number of long hill runs in North Wales carrying a weighted backpack. I also had to do some research into the equipment and supplies you have to take. You stay with the same group throughout the event. We were quite lucky with the weather as the heat never really went above the mid thirties. Day 2 was definitely the toughest mentally but I found that my body adapted over time. You have to walk a lot of it due to the endurance demands and the weight you are carrying.”

When finishing the event, Katie says she was overcome with a sense of relief, pride and fulfilment of a lifelong goal. Now, she is back at the day job, working for the CWP Living Well Service, a mobile service that provides health checks and mental wellbeing support on a drop-in basis to communities across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Emma Green, Clinical Manager for the Living Well Service, said:

“We are so proud of Katie and her amazing achievement in completing the Marathon Des Sables. It really is an incredible testament to her courage and commitment. She is also an exceptionally caring nurse who is a tremendous asset to our team. The way she cares for patients who come to our service is exceptional, so none of us were surprised to hear that she’d completed this extraordinary challenge.”

Katie gives her final reflections saying:

“I honestly feel having done the event – that anyone can do it. Ordinary people are capable of exceptional achievements with the right determination and training. You have to want to do it.”

Find out more about the Living Well Service and when it will next be in your area.

Pictured - Katie Holmstrom taking part in the race.