A former RAF engineer who is recovering from a major operation has taken on a walking challenge for charity.

Mike 'Knocker' White of Bridport is still receiving chemotherapy treatment after his cancer operation last year, but it has not deterred him from raising money to a cause close to him.

Every day throughout January Mike has been taking part in the Royal British Legion Industries' (RBLI) Tommy Club 10,000 step challenge, which is raising funds to support veterans who need help with housing and finances.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Mike White doing the Tommy Club 10,000 step challenge in BridportMike White doing the Tommy Club 10,000 step challenge in Bridport (Image: Mike White)

The challenge means he has to walk 10,000 steps around the town – around five miles each day - the same distance soldiers walked during the fighting retreat at Dunkirk.

Mike said: “I’ve got a big heart for those poor people who don’t have anything when they leave the services.

“Some of them fall on bad times and suffer with PTSD and are not really themselves and they need a helping hand.

“They have to rely on the good people of the Royal British Legion and I thought it was something I could do.

“I started off recuperating from a major cancer operation, and I thought I would make it all, but 10,000 is quite a challenge even for a relatively fit person like myself."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The 10,000 steps represents the distance 'tommies' had to walk in the fighting retreat at Dunkirk during World War Two -The 10,000 steps represents the distance 'tommies' had to walk in the fighting retreat at Dunkirk during World War Two - (Image: Mike White)

Through wind and rain Mike has been out putting the steps in and was only knocked off course when he was struck down with a virus, which didn’t keep him out of action for long.

He added: “I got hit by a rapid virus which hospitalised me over night my partner stepped in and did the other 4,000 steps for me.”

“I recovered so well from the virus, I did 20,000 last Thursday and 21,000 on Friday, before I found some blisters and had to go back down to just 10,000 a day over the weekend.”

Mike has been blown away by the generous support of the people of Bridport and is now looking to raise five times as much as his initial target.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Mike White prefers to stick to paths and parks due to his recovery from a major operation last yearMike White prefers to stick to paths and parks due to his recovery from a major operation last year (Image: Mike White)

He continued: “I didn’t have much hope at the beginning, so I set a target of £100 which I beat in first week, and fingers crossed, if everyone is as generous as they have been I will reach the £500 mark.”

With the finish line now in sight, Mike was looking forward to a double celebration with the end of his chemotherapy treatment this week and the end of the challenge just around the corner.

He said: "I am having a small reception when I finish on January 31 at Bucky Doo Square.

"It will just be a few friends and a beer or so afterwards."