A MARATHON runner from Wirral is preparing for one of the toughest races on earth in aid of children's cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK.

Lee Quinn, from West Kirby, will take part in The Jungle Ultra; a five-day, 230km race through the Amazon Rainforest in June next year.

Split into five stages, the trek will involve battling through jungle undergrowth, river crossings and mountain valleys.

Competitors can expect choking humidity, knee deep mud and heavy rain as well as periods spent night running – all in an area which is home to some of the most dangerous animals in the world.

Wirral Globe:

Lee Quinn

Each entrant is expected to carry their entire kit which includes food for the five days, safety equipment and a minimum of 2.5 litres of water. To prepare for the marathon, Lee has planned a grueling weekly training routine.

Lee's support for Neuroblastoma UK began after a family friend’s child was diagnosed with the rare condition.

Looking forward to the marathon he said: "This is another brutal challenge that will really test my body and mental strength to its limits.

"The race organisers only allow 100 entrants to take part, in order to protect the area and its wildlife so I'm fortunate to be able to compete.

"It's going to be tough, but I'm extremely passionate about raising awareness and money for those suffering from Neuroblastoma so I don’t need any more motivation.

"The funds will hopefully make a significant difference to the youngsters and their families affected by cancer."

A typical weekend can see him wake at 5.30am on a Saturday for a run up and around Helvellyn in the Lake District.

This is then followed on Sunday by a 4.30am start to do an 8kg ‘load run’ up Snowdon followed by a session in the gym.

Lee, a litigation executive and department manager at Birkenhead-based Your Legal Friend, also has a few 'warm up' events planned including a three day, 84-mile ultra-marathon in Hertfordshire, a 44-mile race around the Brecon Beacons, and a two-day 66 mile marathon in Surrey.

No stranger to a challenge, he completed the six-day 257km Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert in 2016, raising £7,856.64 for Neuroblastoma UK.

Wirral Globe:

Lee pictured during last year's challenge

Neuroblastoma UK raises funds for medical research into improving both diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer that affects children typically aged under five and is responsible for one in six cancer deaths in children.

Alastair Whitington, a trustee for the charity, said: "Lee has already raised a huge amount for the charity and we really can’t thank him enough.

"It will make a fantastic difference in the fight against this terrible disease. We wish him all the best in his latest challenge.”

Lee is covering his £2,250 race entry fee and the cost of his flights, food and equipment himself meaning that all funds raised will go directly to Neuroblastoma UK.

If you would like to sponsor Lee, you can do so via his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LeeQuinn03