Running 150 miles in the desert will help the injured

But this is the challenge set by Worthing-born Army Captain John Warburton, who will compete in the ‘toughest footrace in the world’ – the Marathon des Sables – in April.

The race sees competitors from around the world run across the Moroccan desert over six days, with one rest day, while carrying supplies and rations on their backs.

Capt Warburton, 28, a former Chatsmore High School and Worthing College student, who currently serves in 2 Rifles regiment in Northern Ireland, said: “It’s extremely arduous and temperatures can reach 50 degrees centigrade.

“I am doing it because two years ago I broke my ankle quite severely and I wanted a way of signposting my recovery, regardless of how tough the challenge was.”

A strong motivation for the challenge is to raise money for Army charity Care for Casualties, which supports seriously-injured riflemen and their families.

Having been around the world, including serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Capt Warburton said the charity was close to his heart, having seen a number of harrowing incidents.

He said: “Our regiment has had the highest death tolls of any other from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with 60 killed and hundreds with life-changing injuries.

“The charity provides ongoing support to those who have been affected, which is why I chose them.”

For the full story, see the Herald, out Thursday, March 6.