A DETERMINED Upton fund-raiser will undertake his most demanding challenge to date when he straps on his boots and walks almost 50 miles in aid of the neonatal unit at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

Clint Varndall was inspired to support Upton mum Nikki Bourne after reading of her heartbreak at losing her “beautiful baby boy” George just 12 hours after he was born.

She was so overwhelmed by the care and support she received from staff in the neonatal unit she cycled the 44 miles from the hospital back to her home in Upton.

After learning of her efforts, which raised more than £1,300 for the hospital, Mr Varndall will rise at the crack of dawn tomorrow to travel to the hospital before making the long journey back on foot.

“When I heard about what the girls had done I thought I would try and help out and take it a bit further for them,” said the 51-year-old, whose previous charitable exploits include spending a chilly Valentine’s evening walking topless around the town in aid of the Air Ambulance.

He will be accepting donations along the way and also has collection boxes in various businesses around the town, including Upton News, The Co-Op, The Talbot and The Plough – he expects to arrive back between 6pm and 8pm.

Miss Bourne said: “It’s lovely to know someone else is giving their support like this.”