INCREDIBLE ex-commando Sibghat Ullah has set his sights on helping Coventry’s young people after raising £6100 through braving the marathon des sables.
The fitness and life coach faced the toughest foot race on Earth, braving six marathons in seven days in the heat of the Sahara desert.
Some of the cash raised will now go towards setting up a free six-to-eight-week boot camp from the middle of next month to keep Coventry’s young people off the streets and to help them develop a strong mindset.
He will also offer aid to the people of Pakistan, helping to provide homes and jobs for poor people and aiding victims of the country’s floods to rebuild their lives.
And the remaining cash raised will go towards helping homeless people across the West Midlands.
Sibghat served in the Pakistan army for nine years and lifted 223kg to claim the AWPC world deadlift record, but he said the Marathon des Sables was among the most challenging and rewarding things he’s ever done.
“It was way more difficult than I expected and was mentally and physically exhausting.
“Normally I’m very good at coping with heat but it was an overwhelming combination of that alongside the rocks, deserts and mountains that made it so tough, and we had limited water supply.
“You knew when someone had fallen down as you could see the helicopter coming- it was a surreal experience but I’m incredibly proud to complete it.
“The generosity and support of the community back home kept me going and the good causes I was working towards served as fuel to me, I kept telling myself that as difficult as the marathon was it would end eventually.”
Sibghat has also held a meeting with Rising Stars West Midlands, where he has agreed to help develop the mindsets of local young people and show them how to train for marathons.
“The young people in Coventry are so strong and can do anything” Sibghat added.
“Anyone is capable of completing a marathon des sables so if I can help with that either through my boot camps or other projects I’d be incredibly proud.”
