I am travelling in March next year to raise money for the British Liver Trust and in memory of my father who sadly died (of liver cancer) a few months ago.

I am told this will be a unique, challenging but liberating experience?!!

I will be driven from Marrakesh through the High Atlas Mountains to the edge of the desert.

I will then undertake a 100k trek over 6 days through the Western Sahara-I am reliably informed there are no roads, no villages, no people, no radios, no phones but just total silence and sea of sand. At some stage I will need to ascend one of the largest sand dunes (Erg Chigaga or “Eric”) in existence (1,000 ft)- these dunes are obviously difficult to measure!

I am told at stages the sand will be soft, golden ….. and knee deep, hence the challenge! At other times the sand will be compacted and rocky.

The temperature will vary widely from 40 degrees Celsius to freezing at night. I may be unlucky and have sandstorms throughout the trip.

So- why would anyone want to sponsor me, especially in times when many are regularly doing quite bizarre and extreme stuff?

Well, hopefully my unique selling points (USPs) on the fundraising front will convince you?:

I am not fantastically fit and will need to train over the next few months- my family will have much fun and hilarity watching me!

But also….

I hate sand

I don’t really like camping- no camp beds or duvets on this trip.

I don’t travel anywhere usually without hair products and hairdryer- how will I wash and blow dry my hair??

I like my home comforts- haven’t quite worked out how one goes to the toilet – no bush to hide behind in the desert!

I will have to wear “nerdy” trekking sandals!!!!

I despise creepy crawlies (give me “blood and guts” any day)- scorpions and snakes are a distinct possibility

Most people have rolled about laughing when I have told them I am going and as laughing is scientifically proven to extend life (albeit by a tiny amount), I am fulfilling an important public health role and this surely must be worthy of a few quid in sponsorship?

Finally, all for an excellent cause !

My initial fundraising target is £1700- 50% of which will go direct to the charity. I course I would dearly like to raise a lot more.