THE Sahara Race is part of the Four Deserts ultramarathon, hailed by Time magazine as the second most difficult endurance competition on earth after the Dakar Rally, but that does not scare off life coach Thaddeus Lawrence.

Mr Lawrence, 37, will take on the seven-day challenge in the western desert of Egypt to raise $250,000 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund - a gruelling undertaking that is also his statement about what an ordinary person can do for the less fortunate.

He is starting off tomorrow and aims to complete the 249.4km route in temperatures that can hit 60 deg C.

He set up a blog in March called Dreams Come Alive to document his journey.

To develop his core muscles and leg power, he joined a gymnastics club in July. He even 'got a ballerina to train me in her craft', he wrote.

He e-mailed friends and family on Monday, saying: 'As much as physical and mental preparations are important, the spirit also needs storing up and I am glad to have moments of serenity when I am at peace with myself.'

The ST fund was initiated in 2000 to help children from low-income families afford meals during school hours.

It gives $45 a month to primary school pupils and $80 to secondary school students.

This year, it needs a record $5.7 million, up from last year's $4.4 million.

To donate, please make crossed cheques payable to 'The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund', and write on the back: 'Dreams Come Alive', together with your full name, NRIC number, mailing address and telephone number.

Mail them to: The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Finance Division, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318994.

Japanese restaurant Tomo Izakaya is raising funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund as well.

From now till Oct 30, it is offering four of its popular items - as well as one specially created dish - from its menu at a discounted price of $5 each.

All proceeds from the sale of the dishes will go to the fund.

The food promotion also marks the first anniversary of the restaurant's Clarke Quay outlet, as well as the official opening of its second branch at Esplanade Mall.

For inquiries, please call 6336-0100.

Meanwhile, AMK Hub's second-anniversary celebrations have raised $21,762 for the Pocket Money Fund.

From Sept 4 to Oct 18, the shopping mall held exciting activities and promotions, including the baking of Singapore's largest cupcake tower, at 3.2m, on Sept 5.

Mr Andy Kau, the mall's centre manager, said: 'We could not have raised this amount without the generosity of our shoppers who dug deep into their pockets and donated from the heart. We are grateful for the strong support.'