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Arthur aims to sand and deliver....

From the Wiltshire Times, first published Friday 17th Feb 2006.

PENSIONER Arthur Tavener will trek thousands of miles across an African desert to help a children's hospital in memory of his wife.

Mr Tavener, 68, of Hardens Mead, Chippenham, is aiming to raise £2,800 for the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, by trekking his way across the Namibian desert, in the south of the continent.

Along the way he will face sub-zero temperatures at night and fierce heat, up to 40C, during the day.

This will be in addition to acquainting himself with the local wildlife, including tigers, rhinos and elephants. Mr Tavener is taking part in the fundraiser in memory of his wife Sarah who died two years ago.

He said: "Sarah's life was children, she loved them. "While I am doing it, she will always be in my mind. "She would be happy that the money is going to such a good cause."

Mr Tavener said the money would be going towards state-of-the-art scanning machines for the hospital.

The former solider who served in the Army for 26 years, including 20 years with the Royal Artillery, is already training for the trek.

In May he will start at the Brandberg Massif on the edge of the Namibian desert. Standing at 2,579m high, it is nicknamed Fire Mountain for the colour of its western face at sunset.

The trek will continue along the Ugab riverbed, dry for all but a few days of the year, in an area of vast wilderness.

Roaming around the area will be elephants, giraffes, mountain zebras and the largest population of free roaming black rhinoceros in the world.

"It is one of the biggest sand dunes in the world and the trek will take about eight days," Mr Tavener said. "The main thing is that I want to do it for Sarah."

Mr Tavener, who is the chairman of the Calne and District Beekeepers Association, will set off on May 27 and is appealing for sponsors.

To sponsor Mr Tavener call (01249) 463016 or email arthurtavener@yahoo.co.uk

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