GYM enthusiast Russell Hornby is taking on the challenge of a lifetime in aid of a cause close to his heart.

Mr Hornby, from Ramsbottom, is walking along the Great Wall of China to raise money for a hospital which saved his father’s life.

The 28-year-old bachelor, of Whalley Road, decided to take on the trek after his father had a quadruple heart bypass operation last year.

In October, a year since the life-saving operation, Mr Hornby and his 30-strong team will fly to Beijing for the gruelling two-week trek along the Great Wall.

Every step will be in aid of Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, where heart transplants are performed and where Mr Hornby’s father was cared for.

Mr Hornby, a financial adviser, said: “I can only hope that by taking part in the trek and raising much-needed funds, I will begin to show my gratitude for everything that the staff did to help me and my family during such a difficult time.”

Mr Hornby, who visits the gym daily, has endured a gruelling training regime over the past few months, tackling hills around Ramsbottom and the Lake District.

Three weeks ago, he climbed Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales.

“I am really excited but slightly worried about ‘hell’s bridge’ which I have heard so much about,” he said.

“The wall is very mountainous, and we’ll be walking from seven to 10 hours a day, then staying in Chinese villages.”

So far Mr Hornby has raised £1,800 of the team’s £5,000 target, half of which they must raise before the trip begins.

To sponsor Mr Hornby: visit www.bmycharity.

com/russellhornby You will be able to follow his adventure by logging onto http://tinyurl.com/m6 yg48