A SALISBURY engineer is taking on the gruelling challenge of completing six marathons in six days across the Sahara Desert to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Oli Edmonds, 25, is gearing up for the Marathon Des Sables, which has been given the title of toughest footrace on earth by the Discovery Channel. It is a 156-mile race across sand in searing heat and runners are expected to carry any equipment they need for the six days, except for water and a tent.

Mr Edmonds, who is from Laverstock but now works as an engineer with Atkins in Bristol, is no stranger to tough challenges as he has already cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End and took part in Ironman UK in Bolton in 2011. He has been running half marathons every night after work in preparation for this challenge.

“I think the toughest part will be wearing the same clothes to run six marathons in 50 degree heat, or maybe the joints. I’m only 25 so I’ll be one of the youngest out there and my joints have been taking a beating lately.”

He decided to raise money for Help for Heroes as both his parents and several grandparents have served with the armed forces and he has friends who are in the Army.

“On top of that when I completed Ironman a couple of years ago I got to meet a load of the H4H team, who were completing it for their first time too. I was seriously impressed by Joe Townsend, he’s got no legs and he completed the whole thing.”

Mr Edmonds also ran with the Olympic torch when it came to the city last year, which he described as a “once in a lifetime experience”.

He will be setting off on the Marathon Des Sables on April 5. To donate go to justgiving.com/oli-Edmonds.