Lab technician Andrew Skinner is preparing to put on his boots for a walk along one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Andrew, 45, of Coghill, Bletchingdon, near Kidlington, is taking part in a gruelling six-day, 80-mile hike along the Great Wall of China to raise cash for disability charity Scope in the Spring.

The 45-year-old, who works at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, said: "I saw an advertisement for the walk in the Oxford Mail last year and it just appealed to me as a bit of an adventure, as well as raising money for charity.

"My wife Linda's first impression was that I was slightly mad, but now she is very supportive."

Mr Skinner is also holding an auction of sports equipment at Kidlington Football Club on March 14 as part of his bid to raise £2,000 for the charity.

More than 40 sporting items will be going under the hammer including a signed Aston Villa shirt and a pair of signed boxing gloves from Lennox Lewis.

He said: "I wrote hundreds of letters to all the football clubs, cricket clubs and rugby clubs and managed to get enough stuff together to hold the auction."

Mr Skinner has already started training for the hike by walking around the villages near his home, but plans to step up his fitness regime in March.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Mr Skinner or taking part in the auction can call 01865 220514.

Story date: Thursday 11 February

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