Paul, 27, was the youngest Briton to finish the Marathon-des-Sables this year – completing the course in just 37 hours, 12 minutes.

After braving camel spiders, red raw blisters and blizzard-like sandstorms, Paul crossed over the finishing line last Tuesday (April 8).

The Marathon-des-Sables is known as the 'toughest footrace on earth' and consists of a 150-mile dash across the Sahara desert – one of the world's most hostile environments, carrying a rucksack full of food and supplies, in temperatures ranging from 130°F to almost freezing.

Out of the 802 people who completed the course, Paul finished 206th.

Paul ran the race for Macmillan Cancer Support as his brother David was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2002.

David has now made a complete recovery, but Paul has not forgotten the help his family received from Macmillan and has pledged to do all he can to raise funds for the charity.

So far Paul has raised more than £2,145 for the charity.

He said: "I'm not going to lie, it was very tough. There were plenty of times that I didn't think I'd make it.

"But I just kept remembering how ill my brother was, and how there are thousands of people dying of cancer who would have swapped places with me in an instant if they could. I could hardly give up after realising that."

To support Paul's efforts, you can donate online at www.justgiving.com/poliver