The manufacturer’s business development director Keith O’Neill and chief operations officer Martyn Fletcher have joined the football star – known as Captain Marvel – to endure a North African desert trek through one of the driest and hottest regions of the world.
Trekking for up to 10 hours a day, the team is enduring temperatures fluctuating from freezing at night to the rocketing temperatures of the midday sun.
The desert voyage – which started on February 16 and is scheduled to end on Thursday [February 23] – is raising money for the Boparan Charitable Trust and the Manchester United Foundation. The team are working towards a target of £25,000.
Former England and Manchester United captain
The former England and Manchester United captain, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge but for me, it’s not just about the experience, it’s about raising money for two worthy projects.
“Thank you to everyone who has already donated to support the Boparan Trust and the Manchester United Foundation.”
O’Neill, a friend of the football star, said: “I’m excited about the desert challenge and this is a great opportunity for us to raise funds and support the work of the trust that provides help to disadvantaged, young people.”
Fletcher added: “The Boparan Trust has already helped hundreds of children. With the support of our colleagues, family and friends I know we can reach our target and make a real difference to those children most in need of our help and support.”
‘Those children most in need’
Meanwhile, the Boparan Charitable Trust is a national children’s charity that helps people who are disadvantaged through poverty, disability or life limiting conditions.
The Manchester United Foundation works in disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester and uses the passion of football to help educate and motivate young people in the community.
You can follow the progress of the desert team on Twitter @boparantrust.
Donations can be made here on its fundraising website.
Bryan Robson and Captain Marvel – at a glance
Bryan Robson, OBE
- Born January 11 1957
- English football manager and a former player
- Began his career with West Bromwich Albion in 1972 before moving to Manchester United in 1981 where he became the longest serving captain in the club’s history
- Managed Middlesbrough for seven years, winning two promotions to the Football Association Premier League and to the club's first three cup finals
- Also managed West Bromwich Albion, Bradford City, Sheffield United and the Thailand national team
- Skills: very good at football
- Also known as Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel, super hero
- Born December 1967
- Name covers several fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics
- Many Captain Marvel heroes appear in the Marvel Universe
- Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and designed by artist Gene Colan
- Skills: flight, enhanced strength, resilience and the ability to shoot concussive energy bursts from hands