Walking for a cause close to his heart (From The Oxford Times)

Walking for a cause close to his heart

2:40pm Saturday 30th June 2012 in Abingdon

A TEENAGER will battle loneliness, tiredness and life in the great outdoors to raise money for charity next month.

Jack Leggat, 17, will walk the 184 miles along the River Thames from its source to the Thames Barrier, all on his own.

The Abingdon teenager is raising money for Skill Force, a charity which helps children who are struggling with traditional teaching methods.

Mr Leggat, pictured, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age, said: “The idea for this came when I walked part of it with my dad.

“We talked about it then and the idea developed from there.

“I’m excited in some respects but also nervous about some of it. I think it will be the loneliness of it and all the barriers I’ll have to go through.”

Skill Force uses ex-servicemen and women to help inspire young people who have found aspects of school life difficult.

Mr Leggat, an Abingdon and Witney College pupil, said: “I suffer with dyslexia and so I can relate to what this charity does.

“I know my parents had to bang on a lot of doors to get me the help I needed.”

His dad Duncan said: “Jack is dyslexic himself and so did not find school easy and can appreciate the value and extra dimension that ex-military teachers can offer, as he has some on his college course.”

The walk starts on Monday, July 7, and takes nine days. He will walk through Abingdon just minutes after the Olympic torch passes by.

To sponsor Mr Leggat visit vmg.com/jackschallenge or visit facebook.com/jackschallenge