Veteran runner Jack Denness has been nominated for a Pride in Medway award by a charity for which he has raised thousands of pounds.

The 73-year-old has raised more than £100,000 for charity by completing the Death Valley Run 13 times.

Jack, of Canon Close, Rochester, has just completed a 160-mile walk across the Sahara Desert.

The 2008 Race the Planet foot race started in the Western desert at the end of October and finished seven days later at Giza.

Jack, the oldest person taking part in the challenge, financed the race himself and raised £1,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Care Centre in Cliffe Woods.

Staff at the centre are so grateful for Jack's efforts they have put him forward for an Outstanding Achievement award.

Fund-raising co-ordinator Karen Dockwray said: "I do not know of a more worthy person in Medway who deserves to win, he is truly an inspiration.

"Jack has collected several thousand pounds for us over the last few years.

"He funds all the trips himself and then raises money to help the children at our Smiley Steps Centre for Cerebral Palsy. We receive no government funding, so Jack's efforts really do help to keep the centre running.

"Everyone at the CPC would like to say a huge thank-you to Jack for his outstanding achievements."

Jack, who was a finalist in the 2006 Pride in Medway awards, started running in his forties. Since then he has completed so many marathons and races, he has had to set a room aside in his house to display all his medals.

Jack said: "Over the last few years I have focused on raising money for the CPC centre after reading in the paper the troubles they had with break-ins. I'm hoping to run the Sahara race again next year to raise more money for the CPC centre.