Two Bosherston sisters are set to tackle the Sahara this weekend, as the first of four desert races they will complete to raise money for cancer support.

Lucy Rivers Bulkeley, aged 31, and RAF Flight Lieutenant Camilla Howard, aged 28, made the “crazy” decision to take on the Four Desert Challenge over lunch earlier this year.

Inspired by their father’s fight against cancer the sisters will tackle four challenging deserts in a bid to raise £20,000 in aid of the west Wales appeal for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Four gruelling 250km races, each taking place over seven days, will see the sisters battle against the elements in the world’s largest deserts, beginning with the Sahara this Sunday, October 26th.

The girls felt that such a feat would be a fitting tribute to their father, Colonel Bulkeley, described by Lucy as “larger than life”.

“Daddy lost his short battle with cancer in August last year and we are doing this challenge in his memory,” said Lucy.

“We will be the first sisters to try to complete it within 12 months and we are probably about to find out why this has never been achieved before,” she added.

Their year-long journey begins with the Egypt Sahara race followed by the Atacama Crossing in March, the Gobi in June and finally the Last Desert in Antarctica in November 2009.

The sporty sisters will be carrying equipment, weighing about 20lbs. They took part in the Dale half-marathon for a full kit test, completing the course in two hours and 45 minutes.

The determined pair have so far raised £7,276 online via their just giving web site and a further £4,645 has been raised off line. “Those little donations really add up,” said Lucy. “The last few months have been manic but us Bulkeley sisters get things done!”

The sisters can be sponsored via the secure website www.justgiving.com/4desertsisters.