Temperature rising for Blind Dave Heeley

The well-known runner and keen Baggies fan is gearing up for his latest marathon challenge to help raise money towards West Brom's charity, The Albion Foundation.

And the 57-year-old is pushing himself to the limit in training for the gruelling Marathon Des Sables – a six-day race through the Sahara Desert taking place next month.

He was invited to train in a humidity chamber at the University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, this week.

Once inside, people can experience soaring temperatures and humidity to help Dave and his running guides Tony Ellis and Rosemary Rhodes prepare.

Dave, from West Bromwich, is due to spend up to a week training in the chamber and forced to cope with conditions of between 95F (35°C) and 113F (4550°C,) with up to 50 per cent humidity.

And the father-of-three says it was quite a shock to take on those temperatures as anticipation builds for the race.

"It was chilly when I was walking to the centre but it was certainly a lot hotter in there," admitted Dave.

"The sweat just pours off you.

"It isn't quite as it would be as when you are running as there may be a fresh breeze, which helps take the sweat away. But it is still really good and I'm so grateful to everyone at the university, who have been fantastic."

Dave has already helped The Albion Foundation with the first two stages of its Tri-Challenge. There was a tough 153-mile bike ride, featuring a group including Baggies legend Brendon Batson.

Group members have also been walking to all 119 schools in Sandwell.

And the task will climax with Dave, who is best known for completing seven marathons on seven continents in seven days in 2008, taking on the Marathon Des Sables. The group run the equivalent of five-and-a-half marathons, a total distance of 156 miles in temperatures up to 122F (50C).

Visit www.justgiving.com/blinddav eMDS to donate.