Hi, I am Lakhbir Jaspal, novice runner and Deputy Group Chief Executive of West Midlands housing association, the Accord Group, who in April will be running nearly 160 miles in 40 degrees heat to compete in the toughest footrace on earth – Marathon des Sables for charity.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me at the age of 46 to compete in a race across the Sahara on 5 April for the Accord Group’s charity of the year Action for Children.

Known simply as the MdS, the race is a gruelling multi-stage adventure through a formidable landscape in one of the world’s most inhospitable climates - the Sahara desert. The rules require you to be self-sufficient, to carry with you on your back everything except water that you need to survive. You are given a place in a tent to sleep at night, but any other equipment and food must be carried.

I only started running three years ago and have competed in a number of half marathons and really hope to raise with your help over £5,000.

I try to train three to four times a week and have gradually been increasing my distances but have some way to go. I’m hoping a strong positive attitude will carry me over the finish line, but I suspect it’s going to hurt (a lot!). Run, walk or crawl – I will finish.

So please support me in this challenge and help me raise a lot of money for a terrific cause.