KEEN walker David Hawkins marked his 79th birthday by completing a 38-mile walk to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The event was the Just walk, an annual charity event based at Goodwood Racecourse in Sussex, and the day was a success for Mr Hawkins, who completed the course in thirteen and a half hours and raised £737.

Mr Hawkins has taken part in the the walk for the last six years, and this year he was one of some 500 walkers who set out on a cold and blustery morning.

Many of them has chosen to take shorter courses, and Mr Hawkins was one of only 75 who tackled the 38-mile, or 60km, route.

He said: "As the walk proceeded, the weather improved and waterproof clothing was discarded. Approaching Arundel a large number of walkers peeled off; they were the walkers doing the 40km course.

"I felt rather lonely at this stage. There being only 75 walkers tackling the hilly 60km course, we were very widely spaced out. After leaving Arundel, I walked for about an hour without seeing any of the others. However, in time, I joined up with other walkers and was lonely no more."

He said he had aimed to complete the course by 9pm, but it was 9.30pm by the time he finished.

He said: "However, it was well worth taking part. Although it was not a race, I was the 25th finisher of the 75 walkers tackling this very demanding 60km course, not bad for an oldie."

Mr Hawkins chose the Motor Neurone Disease Association because his mother died of the disease some years ago. He said: "I'd like to thank everyone who supported me. It was very generous and with your help I am nearly up to my £750 target and hope to exceed it. The Motor Neurone Disease Association is not one of the larger charities and does not attract the degree of support received by them."

He can be sponsored at justgiving.com/David-Hawkins19.