A CHEF is set to swap the heat of the kitchen for that of the Sahara Desert in memory of his father.

Nick Humphries, of Aldwark, near Thirsk, will start the ten-day, 60-mile challenge in Morocco on Friday (February 27) to raise funds for the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Trust charity.

The 22-year-old's father, Terry, had been suffering from the neurodegenerative illness since 2005, but it wasn’t until 2011 that he was diagnosed with it.

He died last month at the Thistle Hill Nursing Home, in Knaresborough, where he had been living for the past four years.

The disease, for which there is no known cure, causes brain cells to shrink resulting in problems with balance, movement and automatic functions like blood pressure control, swallowing and speech.

Having MSA often causes loneliness and isolation as few people, including health professionals, have heard of the disease.

Mr Humphries said: “When I were younger, I used to visit our dad at work in Oman and Egypt.

"Whilst I was there, I used to go for walks with him in the desert, so this is a great way for me to celebrate his life.”

A spokesman for the charity said: “We’re so impressed with Nick and really wish him the very best for his Saharan adventure.

"The trust relies entirely on voluntary donations and without people like Nick, we would be unable to continue our work of supporting all people affected by MSA.”

To sponsor Nick, visit justgiving.com/Nickh96/