A former soldier is taking on one of the world’s toughest challenges in blistering 55 degree desert heat, in the hopes of raising £100,000 in much-needed funds for sick children and veterans.

When other competitors arrive to start the Marathon Des Sables (MDS) in the Sahara Desert, Gavin will have already run 250km covering the 2015 route. Gavin will then join them to run the 2016 race. This has never been done before!

The standard race is 250km over six days. Gavin will attempt the two routes one after the other, covering a total of 500km over 12 days and he runs self-sufficiently by carrying all that he needs to survive on his back. The MDS is reputed to be the hardest multi-day race in the world.

All funds from April’s two week charity venture designed to test every drop of stamina, will go towards specialised rehabilitation equipment for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham where Gavin works, as well as funds for Blesma, the limbless veterans charity, and Team Margot, a charity set up to highlight the need for people to register on the bone marrow and stem cell registers which helps children with cancer.

Gavin, an Anaesthetic Practitioner, has been getting into shape by rising at 4am each morning to run just under nine miles to work from his Solihull home with a 10kg back pack, while also spending countless hours in the gym and cycling.

“I’ve heard a lot about this challenge, and the Discovery Channel has called it the toughest footrace on earth,” said the 42-year-old, who served in the British Army back in his 20s.

“I’m really looking forward to April when I’ll be heading to Morocco to start this feat, which really is so exciting to me on a personal level,” he said.

Such herculean feats are not new to Gavin, who will have medical support and be documenting his two weeks in the desert.

In 2014 he was inspired to take on a 1,200 mile solo run covering 45 marathons in 45 days from Land’s End to John O’Groats whilst also pushing a 50Kg barrel carrying donations, which only got heavier as more money was put into it.

“The inspiring courage and the ‘I can and I will’ attitude that I have seen in my life both in the military and also in my day to day work at the hospital is what inspires me,” he said.

In 2014 Gavin set up I Can and I Will where he supports charities close to his heart by taking on a series of extreme challenges involving his love of sports and adventure.

“I really call on the public to help these two wonderful causes, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity, Blesma Limbless Veterans Charity and Team Margot,” he said. “I will be keeping all my supporters up to date with regular updates as they follow my toughest challenge yet.”

To learn more or to donate to Gavin’s incredible challenge, go to: www.ICanandIWill.co.uk

Twitter: @icaiw2014

Instagram: @icaiw2014

Want to get involved? Gavin is currently also appealing for generous donations of prizes to be part of a ‘special prize give away’ which will take place after he completes his challenge to generate further funds. If you can help, please get in touch with Gavin directly at gssandford@hotmail.co.uk 

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