Firefighter going the extra mile

A bold firefighter from Greater Manchester Fire & Service is tackling a 151 mile marathon to raise money for charity.

Martin Cain is taking part in the infamous marathon Des Sable in Morocco in April. The gruelling event takes place through the Sahara Desert over six days. The distances involve running the equivalent of a marathon a day in temperatures averaging 40 degrees during the day and freezing cold at night.

Mr Cain said: "I will be carrying all the equipment I need for the week with me apart from a tent. There are some very strict rules to adhere to concerning the amount of calories you have to consume on a daily basis but more worrying is the fact that you are allowed two I.V. drips before you are forced to withdraw from the event!"

The daring firefighter has been training on the moors around Manchester and on the sand dunes in Lytham.

He continued: "The recent weather has made it difficult to recreate the heat and with only two days to acclimatise this could be the most difficult obstacle."

Mr Cain is raising money for the Fire Fighters charity and hopes to surpass a £5000 target.

He said: "None of the money raised is being used to fund the trip. My target is £5000 but obviously I would like to raise as much as I can."

To donate to Mr Cain's cause, visit his justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/martincain