Former Mansfield soldier Chris Vasper is tackling the most gruelling footrace in the world in April to raise money for Walking With The Wounded (WWTW).

The Marathon des Sables (MdS) covers 250km over six days through the Moroccan Sahara desert and those taking part have to carry all equipment and food on their back.

The competitors have to complete a marathon each day and a double marathon in 35 hours during another stage.

Chris, a former Special Telegraphist in the Army, who now runs his own printing business, The Quill Press, in Mansfield, said: “I have never attempted anything like this before.

“WWTW help and support injured Servicemen and women to gain training and qualifications so that they can find employment when they have left life in the military.

“It’s a fantastic charity, supporting extraordinary individuals who have given so much and been through much.

“The 20 running for WWTW will be raising funds for two projects Head Start, helping Service personnel with mental injuries, and Home Straight, which is about helping homeless ex-Servicemen and women back on their feet.

“I am going way out of my comfort zone. I don’t like flying. I have MS, which can be affected by hot climates (so they tell me).

“I don’t like road running and my last competitive half-marathon left me unable to walk properly for a week. I also haven’t run with a backpack for 25 odd years… and so the list goes on.”

Chris, who will be part of a 20-strong team taking part for the charity, said he decided to tackle the challenge after following the progress of a friend in last year’s event.

“The sense of adventure I had 20 years ago had been lost somewhat and over recent years I have watched friends depart on adventures of a lifetime.

“The MdS 2015 had a real effect on me as I watched a little blue dot on my computer screen complete each day of the event. The blue dot represented a competitor called Jeremy (Jez), who I have known since we were apprentices in the Army more than 30 years ago.

“Each day I found myself constantly checking to see that he was progressing OK. I was thrilled for him when he finished and with some style.

“I had watched the MdS from afar, always wondering what it would be like, and Jez’s run lit a spark. I decided to do the 2017 MdS.

“I contacted another old Army friend, Mark, and suggested 2017 to him. His thoughts were the same as mine, wanting a last great challenge whilst our knees could carry us.

“Little did I know Mark was doubly keen. We both went online and registered our interest in 2017 and started to train.

“Then one night about five months ago I was watching the MdS videos on YouTube and thought, let’s not play around with this, if we are going to do this let’s go for 2016.”

Since starting training for the MdS Chris has completed the 28 miles of the Spires and Steeples Challenge, from Lincoln to Sleaford, and will be running a 66-mile, 48-hour challenge in February.

The organisers of the 2016 Marathon des Sables have recently announced that the course, which changes every year, will be the longest in the event’s 31-year history.

To support Chris, go to http://uk.virgin moneygiving.com/chrisvasper

He will be flying out for the MdS on 8th April with about 450 other UK competitors and start running on 10th April.