A ‘penniless’ charity trekker put his head down at a Sidmouth campsite before he continued on his way to a world record attempt – all the way to Kilimanjaro.

Mick Rogers quit his job, sold his house, gave his car away and said goodbye to his children so he could set off on the epic challenge.

His motivation? He wants to raise a mammoth £55,000 for Macmillan, which has been treating his father since he was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago.

“I’ve been visiting hospices and seeing the work the nurses do,” said Kettering resident Mick.

“I’m not strong enough to do that but I am strong enough to do this.

“It’s not just for my father – it’s for everyone else. I quit my work, quit my house, gave my car away and became penniless for this.”

Mick stayed at Oakdown Holiday Park last Thursday, 522 miles into his walk – just a tenth of his overall challenge – before continuing down the coast.

He hopes that by the time he leaves the country he will have the corporate sponsorship he needs to reach his destination.

The one-time reporter aims to get to Kilimanjaro by August 9, his 50th birthday.

Mick has also worked as a builder, a joiner and sold brown and white goods, but what he really wants to do is write for a living.

He has already penned six books as Laird Betty S and already plans to take inspiration from his 5,000-mile walk – with a seventh entitled Six Months to Live.

To sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/LairdBettySwollocks.