A BUSINESSMAN raised £11,000 for charity by running more than 150 miles across the Sahara Desert.

Phil Newton, chairman of Print Strategy Europe based in Droitwich, completed the Sahara Marathon Des Sables – a 156-mile endurance race across rocky terrain and sand dunes in temperatures exceeding 51C.

Mr Newton, who lives in Worcester, was inspired to do the race after his company sponsored Craegmoor’s Artist of the Year Awards. He was so impressed by the artwork produced by the people Craegmoor supports that he decided to enter the ultramarathon.

Craegmoor supports about 4,000 people across the UK with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and mental illnesses, as well as older people.

Mr Newton, aged 37, finished the Saharan Odyssey in 308th position out of 849 starters in 43 hours, 28 minutes. He said: “This was the toughest challenge I have ever faced. The great news is that I did get through and complete the course and, more importantly, I’m still in one piece.”

The six-day race required competitors to carry everything they needed in their backpacks.