Devizes man Andy Escott is planning to walk barefoot along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath to raise money for international water aid charity Just a Drop.

Mr Escott, 33, will be walking down Caen Hill and finishing at the Barge Inn in Seend Cleeve, a distance of six kilometres.

He has been training for the challenge by walking barefoot around his estate in Broadleas Park, mostly early in the morning.

The challenge, on Saturday, will be more difficult for Mr Escott as he was born with just three toes on his right foot, which can affect his balance.

Mr Escott, who is a Cambridge Weight Plan consultant, said: “If I walk for a long time it generally hurts quite a bit. It’s going to be quite tough.

“Half way along I will be carrying a plastic drum filled with water so that will be another challenge. I’m certainly not going to give up.”

Mr Escott, who has nephews and a godson, was inspired to do the challenge to support Just a Drop’s clean water project in Makueni County, Kenya, where children walk, on average, six kilometres a day to fetch water.

He said: “When I heard that children as young as six or seven in developing countries were walking such long distances for water, I felt I had to do something.

“I think it will take me at least two and a half to three hours to complete it but it will just be a case of ploughing on with it.”

He hopes to raise £1,000. To donate go to www.just giving.com/be-amazing