IT has been billed as one of the toughest challenges in the world and Wayne Drinkwater, from Winwick Park, certainly wouldn’t disagree with this claim.

The 34-year-old recently completed the Marathon des Sables, a gruelling 156-mile adventure in one of the world's most inhospitable climates, the Sahara desert.

Wayne described the marathon as one of the ‘hardest’ and ‘craziest’ things he has done.

He said: “It was an immense feeling to cross the finish line. There is a fine line between something being extremely tough and something risking your health.

“This definitely came close to it at times. Partly due to my immune system being very low prior to the event and the dry heat and sand in the air made me feel pretty weak but I was never going to give up.”

Around 1,000 people took part in the Marathon des Sables and Wayne was the 324th person to cross the finish line.

He said: “I also met some truly amazing people who will be lifelong friends, who embrace life with a positive outlook and attitude and I rubbed shoulders with some amazing athletes.”

Wayne decided to push himself to the limit to raise money for three-year-old Charlie Fletcher, from South Derbyshire, who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism.

Charlie’s parents Beth and Nick Fletcher are hoping to raise £12,000 to send Charlie for a week-long intensive therapy course at a treatment centre in America.

He added: “I think approximately £1,200 has been raised since early January for Charlie’s fund, who is an amazing kid and deserves every chance he can get.”

To donate to Wayne’s fundraising visit gofundme.com/charliesvoice or to find out more about Charlie visit charliesvoice.co.uk.