Neil on the march for soldier fund

Photo: Picture: ANTHONY MILLER

preparing for a Scottish adventure... Neil Dean

NEIL Dean is swapping Oldham’s parks for a 176-mile hike from Glasgow to Inverness.

The 27-year-old gardener hopes to raise £1,000 for Help for Heroes by walking the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way.

He sets off on June 17 and aims to walk for around eight hours a day to complete the mammoth trek on July 1.

Neil, of Raven Avenue, Chadderton, is a keen walker and came up with the idea when he did the 97-mile West Highland Way, from Milngavie to Fort William, last year.

He decided to add on the 79-mile Great Glen Way to the capital of the Highlands.

He said: “I have always been a staunch supporter of our armed forces.

“I just wanted to try and raise some money for them.

“It is a charity that hasn’t had the publicity it deserves for all the work it does to help our heroes overcome devastating injuries.”

Neil works for Oldham’s parks department and is guaranteed stunning scenery on his charity challenge.

“It is going to be the longest walk I have every done.

“It is a great route with some magnificent places along the way. I will be staying at campsites as well as doing some wild camping,” he added.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Neil can visit www.bmycharity.com/thegreathighlandwaywalk.