A PART-TIME personal carer and TV extra is set to attempt ‘the toughest footrace on earth’ next month in memory of his dad who died from cancer in 2013.

Phil White, 62, from Whalley, will compete in the annual Marathon des Sables which will see him take on 176 gruelling miles across the Sahara desert over six days.

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The dad-of-two, who has worked as a TV extra in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Peaky Blinders, is raising money for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer after his father John died from the disease aged 83.

Phil, a former clinical team leader at Calderstones Hospital, will have to carry his food and first aid kit, including an anti-venom kit in case of snake or scorpion bites, and his clothes throughout the race where he will be joined by veteran explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The Queen Mary Terrace resident said: “ My dad served in the desert with the RAF in Khartoum in the 1950s so I thought it would be fitting to run this race in his memory and to raise funds for Beating Bowel Cancer.

“As it happens the small amount of money he left me has just covered the cost of the race.

“I’m very excited. I did the Marathon des Sables in 2012 but I’m a little bit older now.

“I’ve been training on different terrains – on the beach and on hills, basically trying to get a reasonable level of fitness.

“And my running club Blackburn Road Runners have been supporting me in my training.

“My biggest challenge at the moment though is trying to fit everything into my backpack and keeping the weight down .”

In 2012 Phil raised £10,000 for Mencap, a learning disabilities charity.

Graham Kelly, director of fundraising at Beating Bowel Cancer, said: “We’re very grateful for Phil’s support and fundraising efforts, which will help the charity continue to help more patients .”

To donate to Phil’s fundraising effort, simply visit the website: www.justgiving.com/phil-white11