Stagecoach North East bus driver Alan Beck, 63, will take part in a coast-to-coast walk over seven days and 100 miles to help raise funds for his church roof in South Hetton and the local community.
Mr Beck set off for his journey on Sunday (20 August) from Bowness-on-Solway.
Although now living in Washington, Mr Beck grew up in South Hetton and became a regular member of the congregation and then a church warden.
His walk will see him travel across the Pennines. The route will take him from Bowness-on-Solway, through villages including Park Broom, Talkin and Alston, along Cowshill to Woolsingham, then Durham and finally arrive in Seaburn.