A FIREFIGHTER hopes to beat the heat when he walks 21 miles in full uniform to raise money for a Worcester hospice.

Peter Doran from Droitwich is in training for the St Richard’s Hospice Waterways Walk on August 17 which will take him from Droitwich to Worcester.

The 49-year-old firefighter will step out along the riverside on the 21 mile flat circular route from Droitwich Spa Marina along the River Severn, to Diglis, Worcester, returning to Droitwich along the restored Worcester and Birmingham Canal, passing 41 locks. There is an alternative 11 mile route from Droitwich Spa Marina along the River Severn, finishing at Diglis, Worcester.

Mr Doran, who has been a fireman for over 27 years, has never taken on a challenge like this before but has been inspired to support St Richard’s Hospice by a close friend, Elaine Tesho, from Droitwich, who is organising a range of fundraising events for the hospice, which is caring for her sister Lisa.

His challenge is part of her ‘Carry on Fundraising’ series of events, along with other events including a Race Night at the Star and Garter, Droitwich held on July 26, a pub crawl around Droitwich on September 2 and bag packing in Morrisons, Droitwich, on December 14.

Mr Doran said: “I wanted to help Elaine and Lisa to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice as they have been treated very well by the hospice and want to raise money so that other patients and their families can benefit from its peaceful setting and compassionate care. I’m expecting it to be quite a challenge to walk such a distance in all my fireman’s equipment, but it’s all for a good cause.”

To make a donation to his ‘Carry on Fundraising’ fund www.justgiving.com/CARRY-ON-FUNDRAISING1/

The Waterways Walk is now in its fourth year and is sponsored by Droitwich Spa Marina. There is still time to register for the event at www.strichards.org.uk/waterwayswalk.

Registration is £10 per person, £5 for under 16s. For more information, contact the fundraising team on 01905 763963.

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,400 patients and family members in Worcestershire.