South Elmsall's Paul takes on Sahara
A COLLIERY worker is preparing to swap the coal face for the Sahara desert – where he will take part in a gruelling five-day physical challenge for charity.
Paul Rowan, 26, who works for UK Coal as an underground electrician at Kellingley Colliery, Knottingley, will join nine other company employees in trekking, running and cycling 150k across the desert.
Mr Rowan, of Merlin Close, South Elmsall, and the team will raise money for The Prince's Trust – a charity which helps young people from a disadvantaged background.
The participants, who will be accompanied by a support vehicle, will start on May 3, at Boumalne Dades and will finish in Marrakesh a full 120 hours later.
The journey will involve mountain biking, trekking, running and navigating through the remote Jebel Sahro mountains of Morocco, across the northern frontier of the great Sahara.
Mr Rowan, who could be facing daytime temperatures of more than 40 degrees and freezing conditions at night, said: "I've been doing a lot of running and cycling. I've never done anything like this before.
"I see it as a good challenge. We are hoping to do 30km a day, three days of mountain biking and two days of running.
"I'm excited and enthused about being able to raise money for disadvantaged people in this area."
Mr Rowan has raised almost 1,000 of his 3,250 target so far.
He added: "The money gets filtered back into local community projects.
"I appreciate these may be difficult times but I hope people will consider sponsoring me."
Mr Rowan is also asking for support from businesses to provide him with the equipment he needs for the challenge.
He needs a cycle helmet, cycle shorts, sensible footwear, a 25-30 litre rucksack, a 65 litre rucksack and a light-weight waterproof jacket.
To support Mr Rowan visit his fundraising page at http://my.artezglobal.com/personal page.aspx?SID=279281 or call him on 07988 860751.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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