THE chief executive of Maidstone and Mid-Kent Chamber of Commerce is preparing to don his walking boots and trek 120 miles for charity.

Bill Alder, 52, will walk the length of the North Downs Way in August withn the aim of raising money for the ChildLine charity.

Mr Alder decided to take up the challenge after promising John Timpson, chief executive of the key cutting and shoe repair firm Timpson, that he would raise the money for his chosen charity after he waived his fee to speak at a chamber breakfast.

The week-long walk will start in Farnham in Surrey and end in Dover. As well as raising money for a good cause, the walk will help to raise awareness of a funding bid to promote the Maidstone section of the walk, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

"Mr Alder said: "In a complete moment of madness I said I would raise £5,000 over the course of the year. Since then the North Down's Way project came up and I thought I would combine the two."

Headcorn borough councillor Richard Thick has agreed to walk the total distance with Mr Alder, and other council and business representatives have offered to accompany them on individual sections.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Alder or take part in the walk can contact him on 01622 695544.