A Scots architect is taking part in the toughest run in the world in an effort to raise funds for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres.

Next Sunday, Greenock-born James Quigley, 31, will travel to the Sahara desert in Morocco to join around 900 other competitors from 30 countries to begin the Marathon Des Sables.

Runners will face temperatures of up to 120F and have to carry their own food, clothes, sleeping bag, and equipment.

The route this year is a record-breaking distance of 152 miles (245.3km) - making it the longest in the history of the race.

From the start, the six-day race will be tough and will take runners over ergs (dune zones), extremely steep jebels and rocky plateaus. They will also cross iron-hard salt-flats and the driest of wadis (valleys). Mr Quigley, who lives in New Gorbals, Glasgow, said: "I studied architecture at Strathclyde and work for an architect's in the centre of Glasgow. That's how I came across the charity, reading about it in architecture magazines. Maggie's centres are designed by some great architects but, more importantly, its a great charity to be running for because I have had friends and family members affected by the disease."

Part of Maggie's ethos is that the fabric of the centres should be designed to make people feel better.

And, as an architect himself, Mr Quigley added: "A good building can lift your spirits."

In preparation for the run, the experienced marathon runner has been training for a year, on the West Highland Way at weekends, running with a backpack.

He will fly out later this week for Morocco where he will spend two days acclimatising. "I'm a bit nervous," he said. "A little worried about the heat and the condition my feet could get into.

"But, apart from that, I'm really looking forward to getting over there and getting started."

Anyone wishing to support Mr Quigley can contribute via the Just Giving website link: www.justgiving.com/jamesquigley Last week, The Herald launched its campaign in support of Scotland's network of Maggie's Centres.