Adventure-seeker Manoj Bhardwaj is preparing to trek across Jordan's desert terrain to raise £40,000 for seriously ill children in a London hospital.

The 45-year-old will join 10 fundraisers on the five-day journey to raise funds for Richard House Children's Hospice.

Manoj, the group managing director for hotel and resort business Petchey Leisure, has enlisted the help of his work colleagues to take on the 50km challenge.

The event starts on March 15 and will include a swim in the Dead Sea followed by a hike to a Bedouin village and then on to the ancient Red Rose City of Petra.

This is not the first time Manoj has taken on a challenge to support the Newham-based hospice, which cares for children with life-limiting, life-threatening or complex health care needs and their families.

He said: "I'm never one to shy away from a challenge, an adventure or simply try something new. My first trek in October 2011 across the Sahara desert was a fantastic experience. The laughs, the challenge, the people were all great and I saw a part of the world that I would not otherwise have visited."

After returning from the Sahara he visited the hospice which spurred him on to tackle another fundraising challenge.

He said: "Witnessing the carers in action, was a very moving experience. I imagined how I would cope as a parent in a similar situation, unthinkable. The experience moved me to the extent that I found a renewed sense of purpose.

"If in some small way I can help somebody or bring a smile to a face then the rewards and satisfaction is priceless."

To support Manoj visitwww.justgiving.com/Manoj-Bhardwaj.