ONE charitable man has taken an unusual approach to fundraising, as he plans to walk 50 miles in the Lake District with a 30 kilogramme fridge strapped to his back.

Matthew Bamber, 41, is raising money for Help for Heroes and chose the fridge because it is the same weight as a soldier's backpack.

"It started over a pint of beer actually," he said. "The Invictus Games had just been on and I needed something to do over the summer while I was not playing football.

"I could have put a rucksack on my back but a fridge makes people realise what sort of weight a soldier has to carry around while on exercise in the field."

Matthew, who is an accounts manager and lives in Milton Keynes, said that originally he was aiming to raise £3,000 for the charity, which he describes as a 'fraction' of the cost of just one prosthetic limb. However, thanks to a generous donation from his employers of £900, he is now hoping to raise more.

The fridge itself was donated by Hotpoint and the senior brand manager, Georgia Carrano, said that the comapny was 'impressed at the dedication and determination' that Matthew had shown.

"Climbing any mountain is no mean feat, but whilst carrying a refrigerator it is certainly going to be tough," she said. "Hotpoint feels honoured to donate a refrigerator to help Matthew with this challenge and wish him the very best of luck."

He is expecting that his journey, which he will undertake on September 10, will take him 24 hours - although he hopes to complete it in a shorter time than that.

Those wanting to donate should visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thefridgehiker