A GRADUATE who plans to become a teacher is undertaking an extra curricular activity of his own - walking 240 miles from Barrowford to Cambridge.

John Wightman, 22, of North Park, Barrowford, is tackling the mammoth trek to raise money for a trip to Namibia.

He is now walking from his former Primary School St Thomas' all the way to Cambridge, where he completed his studies last year.

John initially went to work for Country Holidays in Earby, but latterly has been carrying out voluntary work and some teaching.

He has been accepted on Raleigh International, a charity which carries out projects overseas and will be going to Africa with 80 other people from all over the world to work in Namibia for three months from July.

The team could be building schools, teaching, working in hospitals or building sanitation units.

John said yesterday before he set off: "I have to raise £3,200 to go on the trip and decided to do a sponsored walk.

"A number of businesses have been kind enough to sponsor me and I have two main backers, GHT solicitors and Fraser Eagle Group, who have helped enormously.

"I have just a couple of hundred pounds left to raise for the trip which I am sure I will manage because offers have been rolling in."

John started the walk at his former primary school St Thomas, passed his high school Ermysted's in Skipton and then headed south.

He will be walking for around nine hours every day for about two weeks, resting overnight in a collapsible tent he is carrying.

He said: "I will stick to the route I have planned and the only way I can do that is to camp along the way. However, I will stop in youth hostels now and again as a bit of a treat."

John reckons with all the rugby he has played and regular walks, his level of fitness will hold enable him to make it all the way.

He hopes to arrive in Cambridge in the middle of May but is unsure what day he will land.

He said: "I am hoping it will only take two weeks but don't know how I will feel after walking every day for nine hours. But I promise to give it my best shot and try to beat the target I have set myself."

John did a three-year honours degree in economics and is going on to do a teacher training course in September.

He added: "I think going on Raleigh International will be a life-changing experience and will help broaden my horizons for when I become a teacher."