Oxford News
Ultramarathoner raises £5,000 by racing through Sahara
Lesley Malloch, a PE teacher at Marlborough School in Woodstock, took on the challenge in the Sahara Desert.
She completed the legendary Marathon des Sables, a seven-day ultramarathon across the Sahara, raising £5,600 for Oxford Hospitals Charity and SeeSaw Grief Support.
Ms Malloch said: “This race was brilliant and brutal in equal measure – but I had the most incredible experience.
“I fundraised for Seesaw when I ran my very first marathon in 2017, and later helped to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital during our ‘Big Gethin Run’.”
“Their impact is real, lasting, and close to home. Most importantly, fundraising £5,600 for two charities that mean so much made every step worthwhile.
“Knowing it will help young people and families through difficult times kept me going.”
Known as one of the toughest footraces on earth, the Marathon des Sables covers sand dunes and rocky terrain.
Runners must carry all their food, kit, and survival essentials on their backs.
Ms Malloch dedicated her challenge to Gethin and Zak, two former students at Marlborough School, and trained specifically for the punishing desert environment.
She said: “It’s not just about pounding the pavement; it’s about conditioning my body to run on sand, training with a weighted pack, and preparing for the brutal heat.
“I met incredible people along the way who helped me through the toughest moments, and I’m so grateful for the support that got me to the start line ready, and to everyone who cheered me on.”
Claire Hughes from Oxford Hospitals Charity congratulated Ms Malloch on her achievement.
She said: “Huge congratulations to Lesley – we’re in awe of her amazing achievement and incredibly grateful for the outstanding amount she has raised for both charities.”
Liv Webster, communications officer at SeeSaw Grief Support, also praised Ms Malloch for raising both funds and awareness.
She said: “Lesley has not only taken on an immense personal challenge by raising incredible funds and awareness, she has also made a real difference for bereaved children and young people across Oxfordshire.
“We are so grateful to Lesley for going above and beyond to ensure that families in our community receive the support they need, when they need it most.”
Ms Malloch described the experience as life-changing.
She added: “This is an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
The Oxford-based learning disabilities charity raised £1,200 on Sunday, June 14 to help support its work across Oxfordshire.
Yellow Submarine’s Got Talent saw 150 audience members treated to an evening of joy, laughter and unforgettable moments.
Members of the charity, who all have learning disabilities or autism, took to the stage at The Corn Exchange in Witney.
From singing and dancing to comedy and even a spelling bee, every act brought something unique.
A spokeswoman said: “For many of our members, stepping onto a stage in front of a packed audience was a huge achievement in itself.
“Watching people who have spent years building confidence through Yellow Submarine stand proudly in the spotlight was emotional for everyone in the room.”
One audience member named Meredith said: “It was very moving to see some members that I have known to be so shy and lacking in confidence get up on stage, perform and enjoy it. Really wonderful.”
The evening was full of standout moments, but a real highlight for many was Aaron, whose “breathtaking” performance of The Music of the Night, from The Phantom of the Opera, left the audience “completely spellbound”.
His powerful rendition earned a standing ovation and brought many people to tears.
Steve, caretaker at the Corn Exchange, said: “It was the first time in 30 years I had a tear in my eye during a performance for an event I was supervising.”
The charity said that the greatest success wasn’t the fundraising total, but the “pride on performers’ faces, the cheers from family and friends, and the reminder that everyone deserves the opportunity to be seen, celebrated and applauded”.
It added: “A huge thank you to everyone who performed, volunteered, donated and joined us for what was a truly special evening.
“After such an incredible debut, we’re already hoping that Yellow Submarine’s Got Talent will become an annual event.”
Police were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst at 1.24pm to reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the enclosure.
The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and is critical but stable.
Specially trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy’s family.
Follow our live blog for more
Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed a 30-year-old man, from Norfolk, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Detectives from the Major Crime Unit are investigating.
Det Insp Verity McCann said: “At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances.
“We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other.
“Officers are supporting the boy’s family at hospital, and our thoughts remain with them.”
Have you got a story you want to share? Get in touch at oliver.murphy@newsquest.co.uk
The pair have been at loggerheads for some time now but in January it came to a head when the 27-year-old made explosive allegations in a lengthy Instagram post.
He claimed that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with his wife, Nicola Peltz, and danced “inappropriately on me” in front of their guests, adding that he had never felt more “uncomfortable or humiliated” in his life.
READ MORE: Major update given after Jeremy Clarkson’s cancer diagnosis
The public feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his family began simmering in April 2022 and has been reported on in the press since.
However, it has been alleged by Pop B*tch that the pair’s falling out may have started when Brooklyn was linked to the singer Rita Ora.
Brooklyn Beckham and Rita Ora were linked in May 2017 after being spotted enjoying a dinner date at the Electric Diner in Notting Hill.
The online blog wrote it is an “unlikely rumour circulating in West London about the real reasons for the father-son fall out.
“That Brooklyn’s unhappiness with his Dad pre-dates his marriage to Nicola. It started back when he had a brief fling with Rita Ora.”
The cause was not disclosed, and there is no suggestion that Ms Ora started it.
Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham have lived in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds for around a decade, sharing a mansion in Great Tew near Chipping Norton.
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