A GRADUATE is planning to put his best foot forward in a 240-mile walk to raise money for a trip to Namibia.

John Wightman, 22, plans to walk from his home in North Park, Barrowford, 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. Now he has been accepted on Operation Raleigh and will be going out to work in Namibia in July for three months.

John said: "I have to raise £3,200 to go on the trip and so I decided to do a sponsored walk.

"I will be leaving home in the middle of April and walk past my former primary school St Thomas in Barrowford, then Ermysted's in Skipton and then on to Cambridge where I was a student.

"I am hoping the walk will raise about half of the money I need and I have written to businesses and charity groups asking for their support."

In Namibia the team could be building schools, teaching, working in hospitals or building sanitation units.

He reckons he will be fit enough to complete the walk because at university he competed in the rugby team and regularly walks. He is hoping to arrive in Cambridge at the end of April.

John said: "I did a three year honours degree in economics and am going on to do a teacher training course in September once I return and have applied for Nottingham.

"I think going on Operation Raleigh will be a life changing experience."

If anyone wants to sponsor John they can contact him on 07816 359 724.