A SERIAL fundraiser will push himself to the limits as he spends seven days and nights in a life raft in Portland Harbour.

Wayne Ingram, from Portland, has raised thousands of pounds for children around the world but now wants to do his bit for children in the UK.

He will spend 168 hours between May 18 and 25 in a life raft at Portland Marina hoping to raise at least £20,000 for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

The challenge will see Wayne try and recreate a survival at sea situation by living in the 1.2 cubic metre raft with only 24 hours worth of food and water.

Wayne, a former soldier, explained his reasons for the challenge.

He said: “I’ve never done anything before for the kiddies of the UK, it has always been for children throughout the world like in Bosnia and Africa.

“Great Ormond Street is an amazing place. The help they have given me over the last 10 years has been amazing. They put 100 per cent in to it.”

Wayne’s relationship with Great Ormond Street began when he raised funds for Stefan Savic a four-year-old boy from Bosnia to have facial reconstruction surgery at the hospital.

Professors from Portsmouth University will also be performing tests on Wayne throughout the challenge to gather vital information on how the body reacts in this type of situation.

Wayne hopes if people see just how tough the challenge is, they will be encouraged to give money.

He said: “There’s got to be a bit of difficulty for the person.

“I get sea sick watching the girls swimming, I get claustrophobic and I like my food. We hope if people see how hard it is for me hopefully they’ll give to Great Ormond Street.”

All of the money raised will go towards the hospital’s patient and family support and accommodation.

Fundraising executive at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, Catherine Sheard, said: “Wayne’s challenge is incredibly inspiring and we wish him every success in completing it.

“We’re thrilled that he has chosen to support Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity - the money he raises will make a big difference for patients and their families from across the UK”

Wayne has celebrity support in the form of Ray Dorset, front man of the rock group Mungo Jerry.

He is letting Wayne use the 1970 number one hit single ‘In the Summertime’ as the theme for the event and will play it at the upcoming Fish and Ships Festival on Portland to raise support and will also play the song at the first night of the challenge.

You can donate at www.justgiving.com/Wayne-Ingram-Fundraising