7:10am Sunday 21st March 2010
WHILE many people use their holidays to relax on the beach, Mick Brown has planned something much more adventurous.
For the 50-year-old has travelled to Africa and will begin a 120km trek across the Namib desert in Namibia today.
He will face temperatures up to 40°C during the day and will have no access to running water during the eight-day trek.
The terrain will vary as he crosses the desert, taking in grassy plains, sand dunes, dry slopes and rocks.
Mr Brown, of Red Bank Road, Radcliffe, said: “This will be the trip of a lifetime for me. I have never really walked in 40°C heat, so it will be very hard work. I’m really looking forward to it though.”
Mr Brown is doing the massive walk to support Action Medical Research, a charity funding medical research into diseases affecting babies and children.
He has already raised £3,300 and has a target of £4,000.
The trek will be the second challenge in two months for Mr Brown, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last month with fellow members of Bury Sub Aqua Club.
He saved all his holidays last year from employer Welding Engineering in Darwen to enable him to go on the trips.
He said: “Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was brilliant. The views were stunning and it was the perfect way to see Africa at its best.
“I’ve always loved going to different places and seeing different things. I want to see more of the world now I’m getting older. I need to do these adventurous things while I’m still healthy enough.”
To sponsor Mick or send messages of support email mickbrown60@ hotmail.co.uk.
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