A MICKLETON man plans to set off on a mega-hike for charity on Monday.

Bob Mooney, 70, of Cedar Road, is hoping to raise £5,000 by walking and hitch-hiking from Mickleton to John O'Groats, down to Lands End and then back to Mickleton, covering a distance of around 1,700 miles for International Spinal Research.

Bob is no stranger to long distance walking. Earlier this year, he hitched to Belgium and back in a day to raise money for Evesham Community Hospital's physiotherapy unit and the Midlands Spinal Unit in Oswestry, on which his grandson relied after a serious motorcycle accident last year.

He has already raised around £2,000. That included a boost of £1,200 generated during last weekend's Bulldog Bash, at Long Marston Airfield.

The Bash organisers donated £500 of that.

The bumper donation has helped put him well on the way towards his target.

He said the Hells Angels, who run the Bash, had helped him raise money in the past.

He said: "They are good people," he said, "They are good to the village and the surrounding areas."

If you would like to sponsor Bob on his trek, he can be contacted on 01386 438425.