Tony Duroe, who works as a trainer for St John Ambulance, will take part in the Walk Of The Roses on May 2.

The walk will take him across Britain from west to east, starting at Blackpool and finishing at Bridlington.

Tony, a former soldier, has been busy training by walking around the East Yorkshire countryside with his dog, Molly, and this weekend he is to tackle Ben Nevis, Scotland.

He has previously taken part in other fund raising activities including abseiling from the Humber Bridge and completing the Lyke Wake Walk.

Tony, of Grange Road, Leconfield, is being backed in his latest charity venture by his local village shop, the Molescroft Inn and colleagues at St John Ambulance.

Meningitis UK is hoping to raise £20,000 from the event, and Tony says he is hoping to raise as much as possible for the charity, which is working to find a vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis.

“It is a good cause which involves young children and I am involved with young people in the cadets. I have two grandchildren and it is something which could affect them, which is another reason for doing it for this particular charity,” he explained.

Tony has already received an unusual offer of funding from a supporter who has offered to buy a pebble which he will pick up from Blackpool beach and carry across the country to Bridlington.

Anyone else who is interested in supporting his fund raising challenge can contact him at Humberside St John Ambulance HQ in Popple Street, Hull or on his home phone number, (01964) 551876 after 6pm.