Karl Banks, 37, will be hot footing it across part of the Sahara desert in Morocco to raise money for the Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract.

During the challenge, known as the Marathon des Sables, telecommunications engineer Mr Banks will be rationed to nine litres of water a day, including drinking fluids.

And despite only meeting fellow participants at the start of the marathon, on April 1, he will be sharing a tent with up to eight of them every night.

Mr Banks, of Little Hemsworth, said:"The route is across sand, rocks and mountains and all in 40 degree plus heat, followed by freezing nights. Blistered feet and sand in every part of your body is a given. And this is all on a limit of nine litres of water a day, so washing will be down on the list of priorities.
"I will have to have a clear mind and some degree of focus and
determination."

Mr Banks, who has the support of wife Sharon and children Nathan and
Erica, said it would be worth the discomfort to raise his £5,000 target.

To sponsor Mr Banks, telephone 07985806598 or go to www.justgiving.com/karlbanks