A FORMER soldier from Wilmslow is planning to raise £1,000 from a charity walk from London to Manchester.

Jody Bell, 35, who served in the Mercian regiment for 10 years is planning to do the walk for the Skullfades Foundation, which provides haircuts for homeless people in and around Manchester.

The foundation also provides opportunities for the disadvantaged, those who have experienced homelessness and ex-service personnel to learn the skills of hairdressing at the foundation's shop in Sale.

Jody said he decided to become involved with the fundraising after seeing its founder Ged King featured on Facebook giving free haircuts to the homeless.

He said: "I am a former pupil at Wilmslow High School and have known Ged for a while and everything he does to help the homeless is such a nice thing to be involved with."

Jody and former squaddie friend Daniel Smith, 28, from Chester, will walk from London barbers shop Champs, which is doing similar work with the homeless, to Skullfades on Washway Road in Sale.

The pair who first met whilst serving in Afghanistan, hope to start the walk on September 10 and complete it by Friday or Saturday, September 15 or September 16.

Jody explains: "Both of these establishments work closely in their own communities and outside to help combat homelessness and people who have fallen on hard times.

"Its going to be a massive effort consisting of 201 miles of walking and carrying all we need over the six/seven days, and we will be stopping off at three checkpoints a day with the third being a campsite.

" This will be no easy walk in the park and any support or donation you can do or give would be greatly appreciated".

Any money raised will provide training at the Skullfades shop to help trainees get back on their feet and learn crucial skills at the same time.

If you would like to donate or sponsor the ex-serviceman, go to the Just Giving page: Help raise £1,000 to Help Skullfades Foundation