A DETERMINED charity walker is close to completing a considerable challenge in the year of his 70th birthday.

Richard Wood, of St John’s, Worcester, is heading along the Severn Way with a 215-mile route across consecutive days for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Beginning near the source of the River Severn in mid-Wales and finishing in Bristol, the history-rich course passes through the counties of Powys, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

Richard started on Tuesday, May 14 and is due to finish this weekend with an additional 14-mile walk from Severn Beach into the centre of Bristol.

He has been joined along the way by his wife Karen as well as his loyal Cocker Spaniel dogs Millie and Florence.

On taking on the mighty challenge, Richard said: “As I’ll be turning 70 this year, perhaps I want to prove age is just a number!”

People can support him by donating at his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/richard-wood-1714399611858.

Richard is also doing updates on his progress at walkingthesevernway2021.blogspot.com.