A BEWDLEY businessman has swapped his office desk for a pair of walking boots as he takes on a 630-mile charity walk in aid of four charities.

Richard Langley, 71, who owns High Gain Technology on Riverside North, is walking around the South West Coastal Path hoping to raise £4,000 for charities close to his heart.

Having begun his walk at Minehead in Somerset on July 12, he is now gearing up to finish his journey at Poole Harbour on August 30, with partner Jan Taylor joining him.

He has currently raised £1,545, with the total set to be split between Awareness of Autism, Prostate Cancer UK, Hospice at Home, and the Rory the Robot prostate cancer appeal.

Mr Langley said: "I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have been a member of the Kidderminster and Worcestershire Prostate Cancer group for the past three years.

"We are trying to raise money for the Rory the Robot appeal and trying to get more exposure for it as well so I decided to do the walk.

"I just wanted to prove that if you have prostate cancer you can still do things.

"I’m camping along the way mostly and averaging 15 miles a day.

"Sometimes it is really hard work with a lot of high altitudes.

"Some days are quite long and other days you get a bit exhausted too, but it is an inspirational walk too and amazing on the cliffs.

"I have had colleagues and friends join me on the walk so I have had a lot of support, and for the final two 10 mile legs in Dorset, I will be joined by my partner."

His fundraising efforts will benefit the Rory the Robot appeal, to fund a campaign for a state-of-the-art surgical robot to treat patients with prostate cancer.

Paul Markall, Treasurer of the Prostate Cancer Support Group, said: "We have currently raised £210,000 for the appeal but we are still looking for £1.6 million.

"We have been assured by the trust that if we can get to £300,000 they will make the first move towards getting the machine, so fundraisers like Richard’s are vitally important."

To donate to Richard’s challenge, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/richardlangley1.