A MILFORD Haven woman will put her physical and mental strength to the test on a fundraising trek through the Moroccan Sahara.

Sara Silva-Neagle, a Applied Behaviour Analysis Supervisor at Skybound Autism Therapies, in Wiston, is the first person in Wales to register for the 2016 Caudwell Children Sahara Desert Challenge.

The six-day fundraising trek will help the charity deliver specialist equipment, treatments, therapies and short breaks to the 770,000 disabled children in the UK.

Sara, 26, said she couldn't resist the lure of the arid adventure and says that when dawn breaks over the Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, on February 11, she will be fully prepared for the challenge ahead - and is looking forward to breaking in her new walking boots.

Sara admits to having some anxieties about the challenge but says that she is determined to complete the potentially arduous trek.

She said: "I had foot surgery two years ago so obviously I'm a little concerned that I may suffer some discomfort or pain.

"I'm also not a lover of camping so it will be interesting to see how I cope with not having showers and enjoying the comparative luxuries of my own home."

Her friends and family were also surprised to hear she had signed up, as Sara admits she 'doesn't particularly like sand'.

Having paid out £175 to register on the event, Sara now has seven months to raise the necessary £1,700 fundraising target, and is determined to exceed that amount.

"Obviously I'll be encouraging friends, family and my local community to sponsor me, but I've also organised a number of events to help me raise the cash," said Sara.

"I recently organised a Quiz Night that raised £167, and a friend, Ceri Dobbing, is undertaking a sponsored wig wear this week and she's already raised over £350.

"Another, Rhian Thorne, will be running the Cardiff Half Marathon for me. Their much appreciated efforts will add to the coffers.

"I want to smash the target as I'm fully aware of the fantastic work that Caudwell Children does.

"Most of the children that I work with currently receive fundraising support from Caudwell Children.

"This allows them to have the therapies needed to improve their sleep, communication, speech and feeding, whilst also addressing issues around their challenging behaviour."

Kirsten Greaves. Events Coordinator at Caudwell Children, said: "We're delighted that Sara has registered for the challenge. We still have places available for the trek and we'd love to hear from anyone who would like to join us in Morocco."

You can support Sara through her Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/Sara-Silva-Neagle-treks-for-caudwell.