A CHARITY walker embarking on an epic 726 mile route from Leeds to Plymouth and back again will pass through Okehampton on his mammoth journey.

Derek Brown is taking on the challenge from August 16, to raise money for four charities — Help for Heroes, Get Kids Going, Children with Leukaemia and Variety Club. The route will take Derek through Manchester, Bristol, Stoke on Trent and Taunton before he arrives at Okehampton on August 29, having walked just under half of his journey. He will celebrate his fiftieth birthday two days after visiting Okehampton.

Derek is hearing-impaired, has fused toes and back pain, but is determined to carry out the mountainous task ahead of him.

Throughout August 2006 Derek walked from Blackpool to Leeds via Bristol and London, and in 2008 he walked from Leeds to Edinburgh and back, via Ayr. For his 2011 challenge, he has already managed to raise £50,000.

He is visiting Okehampton following sponsorship from the Meadowlea Guest House, and will head to his halfway point Plymouth on August 30. You will be able to follow his efforts on his website and Twitter, as he will be regularly updating the site via his Blackberry phone.

To sponsor Derek and to find out more about his quest, visit http://www.derekswalk2011.org">www.derekswalk2011.org