Facing the heat for Mencap cause

Now training hard, Mr Nicholl is preparing to head off to Morocco on April 5, where he will attempt to complete the six marathons in six days across the Sahara desert.

He will be covering the 156 miles with all his gear - weighing up to 10kg - on his back, running between 20 and 56 miles each day.

He said: “I have always wanted to run the Marathon Des Sables and getting the chance to take part this year while raising valuable funds for the great work that Mencap do is extremely exciting.

“The training has been going well, although fitting the training in around a busy family and work life is challenging to say the least.”

Mencap works towards providing high quality and flexible services that allow people with learning disabilities to live as independently as possible - including helping them find work and education and learning to do things for themselves - in a place of their choosing. The charity also provides advice through its website and helplines and campaigns for the changes that people with learning disabilities want.

To sponsor Mr Nicoll, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/grahamnicoll and to follow his progress during training and the event itself, visit marathon-des-sables.blogspot.co.uk

More information about Mencap is available at www.mencap.org.uk