MOTHER Liz Dudley plans to trek across the Sahara desert in the blistering heat in a bid to raise cash for a centre which she says transformed her disabled son's life.

The gruelling Sahara Desert Challenge is Liz's way of saying thank you to the Positive Achievement through Conductive Education (PACE) centre in Aylesbury which helped her five-year-old William rise above problems stemming from his cerebral palsy condition.

She said: "They taught him how to use his hands. He still has problems with his handwriting but he's getting better all the time. But above all they taught him to be determined with everything and to try. They did amazing work with him."

All cash raised through sponsorship will be given to the specialist centre set up to improve the lives of those affected with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's.

William attended the centre since he was two but has now moved into mainstream schooling at Juniper School, Highlands, Flackwell Heath.

She added: "It's instrumental in therapy exercises and promoting independent living."

As for Liz she is now donning her walking boots daily as she gets to grips with tough training.

She said: "I'm a bit of a walker but have never done anything like this. I'm having to train a lot as we'll be walking 20 miles a day through sand and whatever. I'm doing a lot of hill training.

And how did William take to mum's idea of walking across miles of sand-dunes for a week? She said: "He's not happy with me going away but he understands. The centre has done so much for us." .

Pam will join walkers from across the country raising cash for conductive research. The walk was co-ordinated by the Foundation for Conductive Education in Birmingham but PACE will benefit from cash raised.

To sponsor Liz on her one-week trek, which takes place in March, telephone 01628 525108

January 20, 2003 14:00