Mike Buss in new cash plea for marathon challenge

His run for Help for Heroes, which has been dubbed ‘The Run Beyond the Impossible’, will involve Mike, 36, of Highworth, tackling his biggest ever challenge.

He will run across the Arctic Circle, three continents and two deserts in extreme conditions with temperatures dipping as low as minus 70c in some areas and as high as 40c plus in the Sahara Desert.

His challenge starts in Canada and will be followed by the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert, before he returns to the UK for the London Marathon and then jetting off to Death Valley in the Nevada Desert.

He said: “The idea was to put myself through extreme conditions and combine them in a challenge.

“I’ve tried some airlines to see if they’ll sponsor me with free flights and everything that can be done is being done,” he said.

His 120-mile run in the Yukon Territory of Canada is due to begin on March 18 alongside 14 other competitors but now Mike says his challenge across America is also in doubt as he has had to use money he put aside for the American trip to pay for equipment for Canada.

He is appealing for help from local businesses.

He said: “I’ve been doing this on a shoestring and begging for freebies from potential sponsors where needed.

“The whole challenge I have estimated at £10,000 but I am £2,500 short because of sponsor companies going bust and sponsorship falling through.”

He says he needs the cash to fund the expensive equipment he will need to survive all of the extreme weather conditions he will face.

He said: “The money for the challenge so far has come from local companies to national and international brands, Christmas presents, birthday presents, family and friends. Money has come from everywhere.

“I will do this challenge supported financially or not.

“I will sleep in a tent if I really have to and live off rations. This challenge will happen with help or not.”

Visit www.mike-buss.com for more details.