Supported by: Miles Briggs*, Edward Mountain*, Alexander Stewart*, Gordon Lindhurst*, Michelle Ballantyne*, Murdo Fraser*, Peter Chapman*, Liz Smith* *S5M-11432 Alexander Stewart: Stewart Bell from Alva, Running the Marathon des Sables—That the Parliament applauds Stewart Bell, who originates from Alva, on his plans to compete in the 158-mile Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco in April 2018; notes that he is doing so to raise funds for MND Scotland, in memory his late grandfather, Charlie, and his Aunt Joy, who both died from the condition; acknowledges that the event, which has been described as one of the toughest footraces in the world, will see Stewart run the equivalent distance between Edinburgh and Inverness over six days; understands that he will face sand dunes and baking-hot salt flats in temperatures that could be as high as 50 c, in a race in which some previous participants have reported experiencing hallucinations due to its extreme nature; notes that the competitors are expected to be self-sufficient and that Stewart will carry his entire food supply, bedding, an emergency flare, medical kit and venom pump, and wishes him the very best of luck on taking on this fantastic challenge.