Dad who hates sand to take on Sahara trek
Andrew Privett says he wants to support a charity that "is a lifeline to our family" as it cares for his son.
Dad who hates sand to take on Sahara trek
Andrew's 12-year-old son Jacob is supported by the charity
A father who dislikes sand is set to trek across the Sahara Desert to raise funds for the hospice that looks after his son.
Andrew Privett, from Leyland in Lancashire, is among 31 adventurers getting ready to cover 30 miles (48km) across Morocco's Erg Chegaga Dunes over six days in November.
They will contend with extreme temperatures, difficult terrain and long days under the desert sun in the first overseas challenge for Chorley's Derian House Children's Hospice.
Andrew, whose 12-year-old son Jacob is supported by the charity, said: "I'm not a great fan of sand, so the Sahara should be one of the last places I want to go, but I've been up and down Lytham's sand dunes during summer so I can get some practice."
Andrew said Jacob, pictured with the family, is "an amazing little boy"
He said he is "looking forward to the adventure" and hopes all the recent hot weather will prepare him for the heat.
"Jacob is an amazing little boy with such strength, resilience and he amazes me every single day.
"This is a great opportunity for me to do something for the hospice that cares for my whole family," he said.
He said it was also "a chance for me to find a little bit of myself again".
"I'm a dad to Jacob but also a carer, a PA, nurse with the daily medication routine physio etc, I wanted to do something for me, and this challenge has given me the chance to do just that, and it also supports Derian House."
Andrew and his fellow adventurers will walk alongside camels carrying their kit and supplies, and they will sleep in tents.
Temperatures could climb to about 40°C in the day before falling to as low as 10°C at night.
"I'm expecting big spiders and bugs, but I backpacked around Australia for a year so I'm used to them," Andrew said.
The team will face extreme temperatures and challenging terrain
He said the charity "is a lifeline to our family, offering overnight stays for Jacob, giving us a chance to rest as parent".
It also "offers amazing facilities, counselling for our family, and support for Jacob's brother," he said.
Kerry Salmon, community fundraiser at Derian House Children's Hospice, said: "I'm sure there'll be plenty of tired legs and sandy shoes along the way, but knowing that every step will help raise money for the children and families we care for will keep us going."
The hospice said it will cost £6m to run this year as it supports more than 400 babies, children and young people, along with their families, from across the North West.