Jack Greenwell, 76, suffers from emphysema, angina and tracheobronchitis, which all result in breathing problems, and has had his knee replaced.

But he is not letting his health problems hold him back and on Thursday, September 2, he will set off with his friend Dave Staniford on a 192-mile trek from St Bees in Cumbria on the west coast to Robin Hood's Bay in Whitby on the east coast of the country.

Jack, of Gainsborough Road, Stamford, joked that he would see the end of his days during the trek but is determined to raise funds for the charity Sight Savers International, which works in developing countries to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote equality for disabled people.

He said: "Days four and 12 will be the hardest because there are a lot of miles to cover and a steep incline but I think you have to have a go at these things even if you have ailments.

"I've got really bad eyes and I think your eyes are precious so that is why I chose Sight Savers International. Raising money for charity will keep me going."

Jack, who has previously done charity walks across the Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales and Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, said he expected this to be his most challenging trek yet because of his age.

He hopes to raise £400 and has so far collected £150.