WATCH: Emotional return for marathon hero Blind Dave Heeley

The keen West Bromwich Albion fan has made history after becoming the first blind athlete to complete the Marathon Des Sables.

During the extreme challenge he has braved searing temperatures of between 45 and 50 degrees celsius – around 122 degrees fahrenheit – and freak weather, including sandstorms fanned by 60mph winds.

The marathon man and West Bromwich Albion fan was met with a loving hug and kiss from his wife Debbie as well as huge applause from a crowd awaiting his return at The Hawthorns.

His daughters Dannie,11, Georgie Lee, 13 and Grace, 24, also congratulated their father with a big hug after he became the first blind man to complete the gruelling 160-mile Marathon Des Sables, crossing the finishing line on Friday.

Blind Dave was greeted by drummers, cameras and cheers as he made his way inside for a celebratory homecoming event.

He said: "The welcome was unbelievable, it was beyond my wildest dreams to imagine coming here to so many people.

"I am delighted to be reunited with my wife and kids.

"The marathon was hard work but it was one of the most glorious journeys of my entire life.

"I have been overwhelmed by people's support for what I have been doing and I have to thank my guides, who are the best team in the world to have behind you on a journey like that."

Dave completed the challenge, labelled as the toughest running race on the planet, in aid of Baggies charity, The Albion Foundation.

It is part of the Tri-Challenge which the foundation established to bring in vital funds through endurance feats, including a charity bike ride and a walk between schools in Sandwell.

The devoted Baggies fan has already helped raise almost £20,000 for the cause.

An emotional Dave, 58, made his way into the stadium holding the hand of his wife after greeting the crowd and enjoying a celebratory drink.

Wife Debbie said: "I would say relief is the word I would use, I am so happy he is back but it has been a long, long week for me at home.

"He has said before that he wouldn't do marathons anymore and then he decides to do one of the toughest imaginable.

The father-of-three, who was raising money for the Albion Foundation, said he suffered blistered feet from the rough and often rocky terrain, which included walks up 590ft high sand dunes and mountains up to 1,500ft high.

So far, he has raised over £20,000 for the charity, but he aims for a figure of £30,000.

He said: "It has just been an unbelievable experience.

"It has not really sunk in yet what I have done, but over the next week I know I will be talking to a lot of people about it.

"It has just been a horrible adventure in respect of how gruelling it has been, but at the same time an absolutely fantastic adventure."

During his trip, he also met Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who has been named the world's greatest living explorer by the Guinness Book of World Records, as the 71-year-old completed a record of his own by becoming the oldest Briton to finish the intense six day trek.

He said the pair discussed family life during their meeting.

Mr Heeley added: "There were over 1,000 competitors. Each and every single one of them was fantastic.

"We have all done our own challenges and I think every single competitor in the race should be proud of themselves because it was hard work."

He said he drew inspiration from a locket he wore around his neck bearing the fingerprints of his wife and three daughters.

The silver gift was created by Kinver jeweller Gilly Page, 46, who was inspired by a speech Mr Heeley gave about his condition at a networking event at Walsall's Bescot stadium.

She visited his home to take the fingerprints of his wife Deb, aged 48, and children Grace, 24, Georgie-Lee, 13, and Dannie, 11, in clay which was fired to create the silver locket for the 58-year-old.

He completed the race in stages, with the longest being a 91km trek, while there was also a 42km stage. He had support from his two guides Tony Ellis and Rosemary Rhodes who accompanied him across the desert.

His kit bag weighed around 9kgs and carried all his essentials.

The only supplies that the athletes were given was four litres of fresh water each day.

Mr Heeley said keeping hydrated was also essential in the extreme heat and the athletes were able to replace their lost fluids after every seven miles at water stations.

When they had to scale the 1,500ft mountains, they were hoisted up on ropes.

They stayed in a Bivouac every night, which is a French-style tent. The only items eaten each day was dried food likes noodles, fruit and even cottage pie and chilli con carne.

The team had to eat in a minimum of 2,000 calories a day and athletes were instructed to use tablets to replace essential nutrients and electrolytes.

On his return to the Baggies Hawthorns ground on yesterday, he was given the red carpet treatment, while a blind football team from Sandwell was also present to welcome him back. He also participated in a question and answer session with his fans. The money raised will help to pay for improved facilities for disabled athletes involved with the Albion Foundation.

He said: "Hopefully, it will show to the disabled that there is life out there for them and they don't have to sit around on their backsides wondering what they can do.

"They should look at me and think 'if that codger can do it, then so can I."

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/blinddavemds or go to the foundation website at www.thealbionfoundation.co.uk