WARMINSTER man David Francis is raising money for The Alzheimer’s Society by completing three gruelling Ultra Challenges.

Mr Francis, 32, the night manager of the Bath Arms pub in the town, will complete two separate 100km challenges, one around the Isle of Wight on April 30 and one along the south coast from Eastbourne to Arundel via Brighton in August.

Mr Francis will then tackle the hardest of the ultra challenges in October, the Saharan Challenge, which involves completing two marathons in the Sahara Desert on consecutive days.

Mr Francis said: "I’m both excited and nervous, I’ve been training quite a lot to prepare myself, especially for the Sahara one, which will be the most challenging.

“I will be taking part in the challenges because my gran has recently been diagnosed with dementia.

“They will be hard going and very tough on my body and mind but knowing the money raised will be going to a very supportive charity will get me through each of them."

Last year, Mr Francis took part in one ultra challenge to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment for men and women, but this year decided to tackle three.

For the Saharan Challange, Mr Francis will camp overnight under the stars in traditional Bedouin style in between marathons.

Mr Francis aims to raise £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. To help him reach his target, go to www.justgiving.com/David-FrancisUltra16 or text HARD64 £10 to 70070 to donate £10.