Four Maltese men will sweat through the final 42 kilometres of a six-day marathon through the Sahara desert on Friday, as they seek to raise funds for a young triathlete suffering from a rare condition. 

The four endurance athletes have been competing in the Marathon de Sables, a 254km race that takes runners over dune ridges, up ascents and through sand storms. 

Their gruelling endeavours are in aid of Jake Vella, a young athlete who is one of just 75 people across the entire globe to suffer from ROHHAD, a condition which causes hormonal obesity.  

ROHHAD stands for Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic dysfunction, Hypoventilation and Autonomic Dysregulation. Living with ROHHAD means that no matter how hard Jake trains or eats healthily, he cannot stop his body from gaining weight.

Malta's four representatives at the Marathon de Sables, Daniel Agius, Steve Chetcuti, Ben Mifsud and Jack Schiavone, are hoping to raise at least €5,000 for young Jake, who is a regular participant in local triathlon races. 

To donate, visit Jake's GoGetFunding page.