A PENSIONER from Beaminster will trek across the Alps to raise money for carers who looked after his late wife.

Beaminster resident Mervyn Browne, 67, will take part in the Mont Blanc Trek in August, covering three countries in the space of five days to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. Mervyn's wife Lynda sadly died in August 2013 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Mervyn now lives near Beaminster, but was born in Bridport before joining the armed forces.

He is no stranger to walking and hopes his treks across rough terrain have prepared him for his new challenge.

"When the Gundry was closed in Bridport, unemployment was rife. For a lot of people my age - the only option was to join the forces" he said.

"I made a lot of friends and spent about 22 years in the forces. I went on to work in France before coming back to Beaminster in 2010."

Mervyn doesn't think Lynda would believe he was preparing to trek across the Alps at high altitude.

"She would be amazed" he said. "She would say that's not you, you must mean someone else.

"But I have got to do it. It will be a remarkable achievement and great to give something back to the hospice.

"I think she would be proud of me, and I hope to give as much as I can to the fantastic people at the hospice.

"I have to raise at least £1,700 three months in advance in order to take part. If I don't manage to raise that, I will have to put the money in myself."

Mervyn will launch his challenge on Wednesday August 5 - taking in seven valleys across France, Italy and Switzerland.

He was married to Lynda for 46 years and now volunteers at the Weldmar Hospice in Dorchester, where Lynda spent time before she died. The couple met in 1966 and tied the knot the following year - before having three children.

"Although I was fortunate enough to live in France, I was never able to go to this part of the country" added Mervyn. "I have seen it from a distance and it is absolutely spectacular.

"I do a lot of walking and I will be training right up until I have to go. You have to adapt your walking when going uphill and down - but I'm really looking forward to it.

"Weldmar did so much, not just for Lynda - but for our entire family. The carers made those moments special for us and they are worth every single penny I can raise for them."

To donate to Mervyn's trek, log onto justgiving.com/mervyn-browne