An Army veteran is training to take on the famous Marathon des Sables in April in order to raise money for Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity. James Yeardley, a network manager from Portsmouth, will be heading to the Sahara Desert to take on the six-day, 250km challenge.

James served with the Royal Signals in the Army during the 1990s and works to raise money for Armed Forces Charity. He chose to do the marathon for 1990s and works to raise money for Armed Forces Charity. He chose to do the marathon for Blesma after hearing about the great work the charity does for those who are injured while serving in the Forces. 

After signing up for the Marathon des Sables – which will see him running in temperatures ranging between 40 and 50 degrees centigrade – James took part in the Portsmouth Marathon. Unfortunately, he had to call it a day at the 16-mile point. 

He isn't letting this get to him though, as James is using this experience to help motivate him. James got help from a sports dietician to lose 20kg in a bid to make the training easier, as he wants to reach the finish line in April. 

James has also been training by signing up for other marathons, including the Druid's Challenge, which sees runners travel 84 miles in three days along the Ridgeway National Trail. 

Knowing that the heat is going to be an issue, especially when compared to training in the UK, James will be training in the heat chamber at the Institute of Naval Medicine's Portsmouth base for two weeks before the marathon. 

James said: “I feel I’m doing a small thing in comparison to those who served in conflicts since I left the military in 1997. Being able to raise some money to help is important to me and I couldn't feel more proud in supporting Blesma, I know that when I'm struggling on the Marathon Des Sable I will be able to take strength in knowing I am doing a small bit to help those who were injured." 

You can support James in his effort here