ONE Dorset man decided to set himself a challenge for his 80th birthday.

Bill Marshallsay of Wareham, decided that on his 80th birthday instead of having presents, he would undertake an 11 mile walk from Wareham, where he was born, to Poole.

Mr Marshallsay did the walk for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. He is a friend of the parents of one of the doctors at Weldmar, so the charity is close to his heart.

He asked people to give donations to the cause, rather than birthday presents, and raised a total of £1,300.

Mr Marshallsay recently presented a cheque to the charity on a visit to the in-patient unit in Dorchester.

Mark Howlett, Weldmar’s Community Fundraiser for south Dorset, said: “To raise such an amount by any means is an amazing achievement, but doing so by walking 11 miles to celebrate your 80th birthday is just incredible.

“Thank you so much to Bill and all his sponsors and supporters!”