Two runners are preparing for a race described as the toughest on Earth.
Friends Mr Richard Durance, 58, of Southwell, and Mr Brendan Parkinson, 60, of Burton Joyce, will tackle the Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert in April, in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.
They hope to raise £5,000 by covering 151 miles over six days in temperatures of about 48ºC.
Mr Durance said: “This is an extreme challenge, something we have been planning for a long time.
“Entries open three years in advance and are very limited with the few for the UK snapped up in minutes.
“Brendan and I have very personal reasons for wanting to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.
“Brendan’s father suffered from dementia for several years before passing away in June 2010, and my mother is increasingly struggling with the disease.”
The area fundraising manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, Cathy Lowe, said: “We are grateful to Richard and Brendan for undertaking this phenomenal challenge and for raising funds to support the work of the Alzheimer’s Society.
“One in three people over 65 will die with dementia and the society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
“The Alzheimer’s Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work.”
Mr Durance and Mr Parkinson can be sponsored at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/brendanandrichardMDS
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