Dave Hadfield shows little grand-daughter Freya Linahan a map of his route for his Ecuador trek

BOLTON man Dave Hadfield enjoys a walk around the local moors.

But in December, he's going further afield -- by about 6,500 miles to Ecuador where he's taking part in a charity trek.

Dave, a 49 year-old father and grandfather, aims to raise £2,500 for the Sick Children's Trust which arranges accommodation for families whose children are in hospital.

And for 10 days, he'll be walking for six to eight hours a day at altitudes of up to 15,000 feet. All of which is a far cry from his usual 10-mile hikes around places like Winter Hill with his 84 year-old dad Mr Stan Hadfield.

"It's going to be a great adventure, and I'm certainly looking forward to it," admitted Dave. "But I'll be travelling as light as possible!"

As well as local walking forays from his Harpers Lane home, Dave has also been taking part in his usual weekly training sessions with rugby club Bolton Mets at Withins Leisure Centre.

Not that Dave plays these days, he hastens to add, but as one of the top rugby journalists in the country (our description not his) he's steeped in the training habit.

As well as being rugby correspondent for The Independent newspaper, he is involved in new rugby league and rugby union websites and is no stranger to travel through his work.

But, Dave acknowledges that the Ecuador trip "will certainly be different."

He's joining a party of 25-40 other people from around the country who will also be fund-raising for different charities.

So far, Dave has done well with his own funds, thanks largely to one main sponsor internet site Rugbee.com

He is, however, glad to have further pledges of help and can be contacted on 01204-849571, or at 22 Harpers Lane, Bolton BL1 6HR.

"And," he joked, "I've already got some people sponsoring me on the basis that I make it a one-way trip!"