Mark Clifford

Previously competed in the Sahara Desert's Marathon des Sables, the Kilimanjaro Marathon and the highest marathon in the world - the Everest Marathon. Mark admits to using these extreme events as a bizarre weight control system in which he ranges from being overweight and unmotivated to being obsessively fit and not too fat. On his journeys he has eaten his fair share of doughnuts, beefburgers and bags of plain crisps. Mark was talked into entering the North Pole Marathon by another participant - David Jones - and intends to use the event to continue his funraising efforts for two very worth causes: the St. James's Place Foundation (www.sjpc.co.uk) and Hope and Homes for Children (www.hopeandhomes.org). With a target sponsorship of £25,000, St James's Place, where the 44 year-old works as Regional Director, have kindly agreed to double every pound that Mark raises to give a projected total of £50,000.