A WILDLIFE lover will walk about 120 miles between 14 woodland reserves to raise money for a conservation charity.

Pete Longley, 44, an environmental consultant from Alfrick Pound, will take on the challenge in aid of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

The money he raises will support the trust’s Blackhouse Wood ‘Back To Life’ appeal and in particular fund dormouse nest boxes and observation cameras.

Mr Longley said: “Worcestershire Wildlife Trust works hard to preserve and improve the natural environment of our county and I was really pleased when I found out that they were going to acquire Blackhouse Wood and bring it back to life.

“The wood is just behind where I live so it felt right to try and help out. The walk around the other woodland reserves seemed like a good way to raise the profile of the trust whilst raising some money for the restoration of Blackhouse Wood.”

His seven-day trek will start on Friday (October 2), taking in woodland reserves across the county including sites at Kinver, Droitwich and Inkberrow, before finishing with a swim across the River Severn at Kempsey and arrival at Blackhouse Wood on Thursday, October 8.

Wendy Carter, communications manager at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “We were delighted when Pete got in touch to say he was planning to raise money for our Blackhouse Wood appeal by walking through all our woodland nature reserves during a week off work in the autumn.

“Blackhouse Wood is our newest nature reserve, purchased following our most successful appeal that raised more than £200,000 from members of the public and grant-awarding bodies.

“But the hard work doesn’t end there – we’ve now got the task of restoring the woodland to its former glory. The money that Pete raises will go towards the costs of the first year’s restoration.”

To donate to Mr Longley’s challenge visit justgiving.com/Pete-Longley or for more details visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/backtolife or follow @PeteLongley1 on Twitter.