THE world s toughest race awaits 30-year-old Martin Westcott. He will start the Marathon des Sables, a 151-mile endurance race through the Sahara Desert, on March 27. The ex-Royston Town FC striker, who works for Melbourn Scientific, will be raising money

THE world's toughest race awaits 30-year-old Martin Westcott.

He will start the Marathon des Sables, a 151-mile endurance race through the Sahara Desert, on March 27.

The ex-Royston Town FC striker, who works for Melbourn Scientific, will be raising money for pupils at Castle School in Cambridge, a specialist school for children and young people with complex learning difficulties.

Martin, who has three daughters, said: "I have been training for the race for the last twelve months running regularly and taking part in a number of distance events, but I have yet to experience running over such difficult terrain or in high temperatures.

"I like to think I am quite fit, I play football in the Eastern Counties league for Haverhill Rovers, but I reckon this race will really test my stamina, mental and physical endurance."

The race will take place over a week and is broken down into six stages. Contestants will be running anything from 15-50 miles per day with temperatures averaging at 50 degrees during the day and can be sub-zero at night.

Martin will be joined by his brother-in-law Simon Fisher.

The pair will have to carry everything they need to cross the desert including sleeping bags, food, medical supplies and clothing - only drinking water will be provided.

All of Martin's sponsorship money will donated towards providing a disabled child with a specially adapted trike.

Carol McCarthy, head teacher at Castle School, said: "This is great news. Trikes are invaluable for supporting mobility and building self-esteem and need to be specially adapted.

"It is fitting that Martin's multi-marathon effort will help a child gain freedom of movement."

To sponsor Martin contact martin.westcott@melbournscientific.com or visit www.martinwestcott.saharamarathon.co.uk