The heat is on for Blind Dave in the desert

Charity champion Dave Heeley, who was the first blind man to run seven marathons, in seven continents, in seven days, is blazing a trail once more to inspire a new generation.

But this time the heat is on for Blind Dave from West Bromwich as he starts a gruelling 160-mile run through the Sahara Desert today.

Last minute packing - including his trusty Black Country Flag - has been completed following weeks of tough training in preparation for the six-day event.

The father-of-three, who is a devoted Baggies fan, has already helped raise almost £20,000 for West Brom's charity The Albion Foundation which supports community projects including disability sport.

• Scorching temperatures in the Sahara during the high season can reach up to 120F (49C).

• During the Marathon Des Sables a minimum daily intake of 2,000 calories is recommended. Most participants take between 3,000 to 4,000 to compensate for daily losses due to physical effort.

• There are snakes in Morocco but competitors rarely glimpse them. Instead they may encounter scorpions and mosquitoes.

• Athletes are told to eat a breakfast each day and eat high-energy snacks every 20 to 30 minutes during the race.

• At least four litres of water are available to drink every day with checkpoints set up to replenish thirsty athletes.

• People carry up to 15kgs of kit including their tent, cooking equipment, food and water during the day.

• Sun hats with neck covers are essential as well as Factor 50 sun block.

• Each days stage starts from 8am and runners are forced to cope with the high temperatures in the midday sun.

• Competitors are only told the route they will follow on the first day. One stage will involve them running 50 miles.

The foundation established the Tri-Challenge to bring in vital funds through endurance feats including a charity bike ride and a walk between schools in Sandwell.

And now the final leg of this awe-inspiring challenge will take Dave, aged 57, and his two guides Tony Ellis and Rosemary Rhodes to the desert.

He is cheered on by his family including wife Deb, who he has been married to for 10 years, and daughters Grace, 24, Georgie-Lee, 13, and 11-year-old Dannie.

Dave is carrying a locket with him contain clay impressions of their fingerprints to help remind him of them more than 1,400 miles away at home.

Dave had today arrived in Ouarzazate, a city in southern-central Morocco, ready for a five-hour coach journey to the edge of the Sahara.

Around 1,000 competitors from all around the world come to take part in the Marathon Des Sables which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

But Dave will be the first ever blind athlete to take on the challenge.

"I'm the first blind bloke and I'm from West Brom," he said. "I get a sense of pride from that and it helps spur me on.

"I'll have my Black Country flag with me and hopefully I'm representing us lot.

"Everyone has been fantastic with their support. I can't thank them enough. Especially my family, they have been amazing."

Ahead of the challenge Dave had acclimatised to the harsh conditions by training in a humidity chamber at the University of Birmingham

Athletes sleep under in tents in the desert and face different terrain and conditions every day - including huge sand dunes, dried up river beds and rocky routes.

Each athlete is given a GPS tracker so that the organisers can monitor the competitors can the make their way through the vast desert.

Dave has had a full medical and a electrocardiogram and was told he could encounter heatstroke, dehydration and bites from creatures like scorpions.

His kit bag weighs around 9kgs and carries all his essentials. The only supplies they are given is four litres of fresh water each day.

The only items he will eat each day consists of dried food likes noodles, fruit and even cottage pie and chilli con carne.

The team have to take in a minimum of 2,000 calories a day and athletes are instructed to use tablets to replace essential nutrients and electrolytes.

But Dave added: "I'm also taking a Peperami and and some pork scratchings too. They will help with replacing salts and they are a treat too to keep me going."

Dave was born with the hereditary disease of the eye of Retinitis Pigmentosa which was diagnosed at the age of 10. The condition brought the gradual deterioration of his sight.

"At the time I was diagnosed it didn't affected me as maybe I didn't really understood it. From 16 my sight just nosed dived. But it had gone by my 20s.

"Because you get so busy and you learn to cope. It still staggers me that just a few years ago I could see.

"Now I can see millions and millions of lights in front of me, then dull lights then almost a honeycomb and it is bright.

"But it was and is still a frustration. You never get used to being blind but you learn to accept the fact that barring a miracle there are no worries in the world that will bring it back."

Dave said: "I've been told the kids look up to me and that's nice. If they can think 'if that old codger can do it, what can we do'. I want them to look it that way. If that spurs them on then fantastic."

To donate to the visit www.justgiving.com/blinddavemds or go to www.thealbionfoundation.co.uk