Martin Oxford, a maintenance officer at Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre and Ashby Leisure Centre and Lido, is tackling the 200-mile Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk for Dementia UK.

The 66-year-old works for Everyone Active, the company which manages the leisure centres in partnership with North West Leicestershire District Council, and is taking on the famous route west to east from St Bees Head to Robin Hood's Bay on July 5.

He hopes to complete the hike in around 14 days, while raising £1,000 for Dementia UK, and will be carrying everything he needs in his rucksack and camping on the route.

A keen hiker, Martin completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks last year with colleagues also in aid of Dementia UK – Everyone Active's partner charity – and wanted to take his passion a step further with this challenging solo expedition.

He will be carrying around a third of his body weight in his rucksack and up to four and a half litres of water at a time, as well as filtering water to drink en route.

Martin said: "I want to continue enjoying life to the full, while I can.

"Walking offers a tremendous sense of freedom. I'm especially looking forward to the initial stages of the route.

"I've visited The Lakes before and was blown away by the beauty of the area. I want to experience the remoteness of the trail. There are sections in which I won't pass a shop for up to three days!"

Martin will also be carrying a small teddy bear in a pocket on his rucksack.

Bought 20 years ago, Little Oxford accompanies him on all of his hikes and has travelled the world.

Martin added: "He's a great icebreaker.

"People cannot resist stopping to ask about Little Oxford and his adventures."

If you would like to help Martin reach his fundraising target, click HERE.