A PRODUCT manager and stand-up comedian from Mottram will be trekking across the largest hot desert in the world for a cause close to his heart.
Amit Mistry, who works in the insurance industry, will be embarking on the 100km excursion across the Sahara Desert in November alongside a group of colleagues.
The 32-year-old will be doing it to raise money for Crisis UK – a charity dedicated to ending homelessness and supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
Explaining how he was chosen to take part, Amit told The Correspondent: “There was an application process where we were blindly chosen based on the rationale for going on the trek. Out of hundreds of applicants, I was one out of 80 selected.
“It was my employer who chose me. Crisis UK is our charity partner and we have collectively raised £3 million so far.”
Amit will fly out on November 21 and will be completing the gruelling challenge over four-and-a-half days.
On how he’s preparing for the trek, he said: “I’m out of the house regularly on walks, no matter rain or shine. I’m up hills and on roads. Unfortunately there’s not much sand to train on in Tameside, so I’m due a trip to Lytham or Blackpool soon to trod along the beach!”
As someone born and bred in Greater Manchester, Amit says he has seen homelessness locally “change for the worse significantly” over the past 20 years and wants to support the work of Crisis UK to help improve the situation.
“I think people who find themselves in a homeless situation are often judged very quickly,” he said. “Nobody chooses to be homeless and society has a big part to play in people’s circumstances.
“Crisis UK helps people get back on their feet. I know the money raised will go to giving people a place to call their own and, not just that, but also give these individuals skills needed to get into employment, and help on how to properly manage their money. It’s a great cause.”
Amit has already raised over £500 on his JustGiving page, which you can donate to here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/amit-mistry-2
With a target of £4,000, he’s also be hosting and running events in the lead-up to the trek – including comedy nights. A stand-up comedian in his spare time, Amit was shortlisted last year in the BBC New Comedy Awards.
He’s also looking for any businesses or organisations able to support his fundraising efforts – in any way such as cash donations, raffle items, gifts and vouchers – to get in touch by emailing amitmistrycomedy@gmail.com or via his Instagram or TikTok accounts by searching @amitmistrycomedy.