A dad is donning his walking boots to raise cash for the Keighley special school where his four-year-old son is a pupil.

Gary Brown will walk the length of Hadrian’s Wall to boost the Phoenix School minibus appeal.

He will be joined on the 84-mile challenge by four family and friends from his native North East.

Mr Brown, 41, of Bolton Road in Silsden, said: “Our son Oliver has been at Phoenix for a couple of years and I was keen to do something to help raise money for the new minibus.

“I contacted a friend in the North East and we discussed one or two ideas. We thought about a bike ride, but everyone does those. Then we hit upon the idea of walking Hadrian’s Wall. It’s a good-sized route and we’ve set ourselves a target of completing it in four days.

“We’re not big walkers but we wanted to do our bit.”

Oliver has a genetic neurological disorder known as PCH2, which affects his motor skills and speech. It is extremely rare and there is no cure.

The charity trek team – which also includes Paul Reavley, Gary Robertson and Paul and Graeme Stephenson – will begin its trek, from Bowness-on-Solway in the west to Wallsend on the opposite coast, on April 26.

The Hadrian’s Wall route, the highest point of which is Whinshields Crags at 345 metres, is now very popular with walkers. It takes in famous locations including the Roman forts of Segedunum, Chesters and Housesteads.

Mr Brown, an account manager, said between them they hoped to raise £3,000.

People can donate at the website justgiving.com/teams/hadrians-heroes or via the school on (01535) 607038.