A THRILL-seeking grandfather will take to the roads for a 192 mile stroll to raise a back-pack full of cash for charity.

Richard Smyth, former licensee of the Owain Glyndwr Inn in Mold, is tackling the coast to coast walk from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood Bay on the north Yorkshire coast in May.

He is taking part in the challenge to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Alder Hey Hospital as his granddaughter, Leif, eight, has suffered cystic fibrosis since birth.

To make his marathon walk even more memorable he plans to dip his feet in the North Sea when he arrives at Robin Hood Bay on Sunday, June 3 on what will be his 70th birthday.

Mr Smyth, who a decade ago took part in two legs of the Round the World Race on board the Cardiff Clipper, said tackling the coast to coast walk is a birthday present to himself.

He explained: “The walk will start at St Bees Head and I’ve planned in 19 overnight stops arriving at the end on my 70th birthday. I’ll be walking across three national parks, The Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire Moors.

“I was in the 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment T.A.V.R. for four years so I’ve done plenty of long marches. In fact I’m still a member of the Parachute Regiment Association’s Liverpool branch.

“I’ll be on my own but I’m sure to meet others doing the same challenge which will make it interesting. I’ve planned on walking an average of 12 miles a day with odd days being 16 or 17 miles.

“I’ve been training by walking from Gwernymyndd to the top of Moel Famau and back and I’m going to do Gwernymynydd to Cilcain, Moel Famau and back when the weather improves.”

Mr Smyth, who still does a couple of shifts a week at the Beaufort Hotel in New Brighton, said: I wanted to raise some money to help The Cystic Fibrosis Trust as Leif, my granddaughter, has being having treatment since birth, the estimated cost of which is £85,000 a year.

“I want to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Alder Hey Hospital as a way of showing my appreciation for all the care she has received.”

Mr Smyth's wife Maureen, said she will be at Robin Hood Bay waiting for her husband to arrive on his birthday.

She said: “Do I think he’s mad? Yes, but I wouldn’t try and stop him, he has to do these things. It’s wonderful that he is raising funds for such a good cause. I’m sure he will do it, he’s determined and once he gets an idea in his head that’s it.”

To see Mr Smyth's Justgiving page log onto www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-smyth2