A radio station head will be trading microphones for hiking boots as he walks 50km across the Sahara desert to fundraise for a charity close to many Boltonians' hearts.

Andrew Dickson MBE, former owner of St Andrews Travel and chairman of Bolton FM, will be crossing the famous desert in Morocco to raise money for Bolton Hospice - at the age of 76.

Andrew has said he was inspired by The Bolton News' Save Bolton Hospice campaign, which aims to raise £100k for the hospice after it was announced it is operating at a £1.2million loss.

The trek will be taking place in February, with nine other people currently signed up to accompany him on the mammoth journey.

The Bolton News: Mr Dickson training on Smithills EstateMr Dickson training on Smithills Estate (Image: Public)

Andrew said: "It is something different, it is challenging in different ways, high temperatures during the day and cold temperatures during the night.

"It is not just that we are trekking 15-20km every day, it is that it's over sand dunes and lunar landscapes, dried-up riverbeds, that is the challenge.

"It is a good team of 10 of us doing it for the hospice. We're all doing it because of The Bolton News' campaign to get money for the hospice, to make sure to continue its work in Bolton.

"I have never had any personal relationship with the hospice, but I have known a lot of people who have."

The Bolton News: Along with nine other people, he will be walking 50km across the Sahara desertAlong with nine other people, he will be walking 50km across the Sahara desert (Image: Public)

He continued: "I have been supporting the hospice forever, since I started St Andrews and then with the radio station, publicising the things the hospice are doing in Bolton like their fundraising events.

"It is the amount of money they get from the Government hasn't changed, but their costs have risen substantially and they have to raise more from the public Bolton purse from fundraising activities.

"I don't want anyone to think it's a jolly, if anybody contributes to the trip, it will be going to the hospice - all my own travel and equipment is self-funded.

The Bolton News: Andrew Dickson MBEAndrew Dickson MBE (Image: Newsquest)

"Anybody can contribute a fiver, and that is just a contribution to the cause. We hope to raise a lot of money between us all."

To donate to Andrew's fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-dickson36 (if the link does not work then please cut and paste)

 

To learn more about our 'Save Bolton Hospice' campaign, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Bolton-News-Bolton-Hospice-appeal