A SOLDIER will brave scorching temperatures, blistered feet and total exhaustion in the Sahara Desert to help the Royal British Legion.

Captain Sue Doran, from Marcham, near Abingdon, will trek the equivalent of six marathons in six days during the Marathon des Sables in Morocco.

The 48-year-old, who is based at the headquarters of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, in Gloucester, is aiming to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

Capt Doran, who has been in the Army for 29 years, said: “It’s the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion this year.

“I’m leaving the Army in July, so I felt like I wanted to do something for them before I left.”

More than 1,000 people will take part in the event, carrying supplies in a rucksack. They will walk 151 miles over six days, in temperatures reaching up to 50C (120F).

Capt Doran said: “I’m expecting it to be gruelling and I’m expecting it to be hot, but I’m hoping being a bit naive about the whole thing will be a positive thing.

“It’s basically heading into the unexpected. I’ve no idea what it’ll be like. I’m not looking forward to the spiders and snakes out there, though.”

Capt Doran has been training since October and last week walked 50 miles for the first time at her gym, which took her 12 hours and 51 minutes.

She said: “That’s the most we’re going to have to walk in one time on the trek, so I wanted to know what it felt like psychologically.”

She said of husband Gary: “He’s really apprehensive. He thinks I’m barking mad, but he has been equally supportive.”

Capt Doran will fly to Africa at the end of this month and join 250 other UK participants, including 44 women, for the race, which starts on Saturday, April 2.

She said: “I’m really excited. I feel like I want to get out there and do it now. This is a bit of payback for all the help the Royal British Legion give the forces. They’re amazing to soldiers in Oxfordshire.”

Capt Doran has already raised more than £1,000.

  • To sponsor her, see justgiving.com/susandoran