A RETIRING warrant officer from the RAF will pass through Northwich on a 30-day unsupported charity walk.

Al Sylvester is walking 900 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats and carrying all the equipment he needs on his back during the journey, in a pack that weighs in at 45lbs.

He is embarking on the five-week challenge in memory of his best friend and colleague Dean Singleton, who died at Prospect Hospice, in Wroughton, aged 43.

Al, who served in the RAF Mountain Service for more than 20 years, plans to pass through Northwich on August 27.

During his career he led more than 15 expeditions around the world, including two expeditions to the base camp of Mount Everest and the RAF’s first 677-mile unsupported attempt, to reach the Geographic South Pole, an experience which saw Al lose his thumbs to frostbite in the minus 35 degree conditions.

He said: “Walking through Northwich will give me a good opportunity to see a small part of this lovely town and I’ll hopefully get some support from the local people along the way."

To sponsor him visit virginmoneygiving.com/AlSylvester