A SPECIAL concert at St John the Baptist's Church in Hatherleigh is part of a unique charity challenge taking place next weekend.

On Monday, April 30 Christopher Helyer will set off on his journey to walk from Hartland Quay to Totnes, and then row down the River Dart from Totnes to Dartmouth.

Each evening Christopher, who is the churchwarden at St Petrox Church in Dartmouth and the parish director of music, will give a short recital of baritone songs in a church near to where his day's walking has ended. The accompanist will also play two solo items each night.

Christopher is undertaking the epic fundraiser for the Mayenziwe Project, a charity he founded to support rural education in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and for the St Petrox pipe organ fund.

On Monday, May 30, Christopher will perform at St Petrock's Church in Petrockstowe with Barry Ferguson.

The following day, the concert in Hatherleigh takes place with Roger Cleverdon, organist of Chagford Parish Church. On Wednesday May 2, he performs at St Mary the Virgin Church in Throwleigh with Andrew Maries, Exeter diocesan music adviser and oboist.

Each of these concerts starts at 8pm, admission is free but donations will be welcomed.

The challenge finishes on Friday May 4 with a concert at 7.30pm in St Petrox Church in Dartmouth.

To sponsor Christopher, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or call 07814 971151.