A CIRENCESTER trekker is taking on the challenge of a lifetime by walking all 780 miles of the Welsh Coastal Path in only seven weeks.

John Plant, 76, is setting off next week on August 26 with his friend Liz Atkins and her dog Matty. Their aim is to raise as much money as possible to build two Teenage Cancer Trust units.

A former Deer Park teacher, John has worked with teenagers all of his life and has lived in Cirencester for nearly 50 years. He wife Anne, who was a former headteacher of Watermoor School, died of cancer in 1998 when his twin sons were only teenagers themselves.

Both losing his wife and working with teenagers for such a large proportion of his life, means he is dedicated to raising as much money and awareness as possible for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

His team have already raised more than £4,600 and hope to hit their £10,000 target to help teenagers with cancer.

"I'm really looking forward to this," said John. "I trek every year and I just walk everywhere.

"We will be walking about 20 miles a day and staying at youth hostels on the way. "

The group is being supported by John's partner Lindsay and Liz's husband John. The trekking duo, who both have strong Welsh connections, are inviting people to show support and join them at any point along the way of the walk if they can.

The Teenage Cancer Trust's mission is to raise funds, educate, and support teenagers fighting cancer.

Visit justgiving.com/Liz-John-Matty to support the their challenge. To stay updated throughout their journey visit ploddington.org.uk before they return on October 10.