FORMER Monmouth Comprehensive student Will Lawrence is setting off on a 2,190-mile hike across 14 US states next month to raise funds for the charities Guideposts and Water Aid.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, travelling along the crests and valleys of the mountain range from Springer Mountain, Georgia in the south, to the northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.

Known as the ’A.T.’, more than three million people visit the Trail every year and over 3,000 people attempt to "thru-hike" the entire footpath in a single year.

Will, who’s 26, has taken a six-month sabbatical to undertake the challenge, with the blessing of his bosses at Thames Water. He’ll be accompanied by his university friend Sandy Shaban

Will says he ’can’t wait’ to get started, but admits to being ’slightly apprehensive’. He says he’s wanted to attempt the trail ever since reading Bill Bryson’s book ’A Walk in the Woods’ at the age of 12.

"I re-read that book lots of times," he said. "I used to hate walking with a passion and dreaded the family outings but something must have happened to turn things around because I love it now. I’ve done a few days of hiking in places like Snowdonia but nothing like this.

"I’m doing a bit of cardio training with weighted rucksacks but really, unless you can take a few weeks out of work to train properly, you just have to build up your fitness as you go along."

The hike will take five and a half months, during which Will and Sandy will encounter all types of terrain and temperatures ranging from -15c to 35C.

"Every seven to ten days you pass through a town where you can pick up supplies. You have to carry your tent, sleeping bag, water filtration equipment and food. We’ll be living on things like noodles, instant mash, tinned tuna and salami.

"The rucksack weighs about 15kgs so I’ll be quite skinny by the end.

"The main danger is from brown bears and ticks - not necessarily in that order. You have to hang your food in a bear-bag up a tree or the bears will smell it. I’ve deliberately avoided watching the film The Revenant!"

Will’s hoping to raise £10,000 for his chosen charities and is currently at around eleven per cent of that target. He’s planning on organising some fund-raising events in the weeks ahead to raise additional funds.

He says both charities are doing wonderful work and he wants to raise their profile as well as help them financially.

WaterAid, with teams in 34 countries across the world, helps to transform millions of lives every year by improving access to clean water, toilets and hygiene. Guideposts provides services which enable people to ’fulfill their aspirations and maximise their potential’.

Will was brought up in Garway and regularly returns to the area from his current base in Oxfordshire to visit family and friends. In his job at Thames Water he is responsible for water production across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Area Operations Manager Chris Fulton said: "I think this is an absolutely brilliant thing for Will to do. I wish him every success and of course the best of luck!"

The Beacon will be closely following Will’s fortunes on the Appalachian Trail - with regular updates on his progress. To support his fund-raising efforts please visit https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/DeliveranceDash