AN intrepid matron at Poole Hospital will be putting himself through one of the world’s most gruelling physical challenges next month.

Eoin Scott, matron for intensive care at the hospital, will be taking on the 151-mile Marathon des Sables in the scorching heat of the Sahara desert for two causes close to his heart.

And the challenge is even more remarkable as the 42-year-old from Dorchester was severely overweight and out-of-shape a few years ago.

“Five years ago or so I must have been one of the least fit and overweight people in the trust,” Eoin said.

“One day I woke up late for work and ran 100m to get in on time – the chest pains stopped after about 30 minutes. I suddenly thought, ‘I need to deal with this’.”

Completing the London Marathon in 2007 for the brain injuries charity Headway was just the first in a series of efforts that would see him notch up an Olympic triathlon as well as the first of four Ironman events, the London to Paris cycle ride and an ultra-marathon in Wales.

Eoin will be raising money for Poole Hospital’s intensive care unit and the Chairs for Champions charity, set-up by Ben Clark from Poole who was cared for at the unit after a diving accident in 2010 which left him with one shattered and two fractured vertebrae.

And while Ben’s initial prognosis looked bleak, the determined 21-year-old has battled his way into contention for the Team GB Paralympic swimming team.

Although hoping to compete in London, the safety rules on qualifying after injury mean Ben’s focus is now Rio de Janeiro 2016.

“My plan for the future is Chairs for Champions to be able to offer help and support to others in the same position as me”, said Ben.

“I’m really keen on being able to make a difference in other people’s lives and I’m happy to be working with someone who is putting in so much effort for these causes as Eoin is.”

Visit www.eoinscottMDS.blogspot.co.uk for more information.