AN intrepid 86-year-old former paratrooper is marking his birthday by trekking the Thames path for charity.

Jeffrey Long, of Park Road, Bingley, will walk 86 miles along the River Thames path, taking in some of London’s landmarks and locations including the London Eye and Windsor, for charity.

He completed the first leg of his testing walk on Saturday, when he travelled from the Thames Barrier to the London Eye.

Mr Long, who celebrated his 86th birthday on Sunday, October 22, will resume his trek today when he goes from the London Eye to Putney, further daily legs of the trek will see Mr Long go from; Putney to Richmond; Richmond to Hampton Court; Hampton Court to Staines; Staines to Windsor; Windsor to Bourne End; Bourne End to Henley-on-Thames and is scheduled to finish the final leg of his journey, between Henley-on-Thames and Tilehurst in Berkshire, on Tuesday, October 31.

Mr Long, who was a paratrooper in the 1950s, will be raising funds for a number of charities including Royal British Legion, All Saints Church, Old Main Street, Bingley. Support Our Paras is a charity, which supports The Parachute Regiment through the welfare of serving soldiers and families and those affected by operations.

Grandfather Mr Long was given a civic send-off by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Abid Hussain last week.

He also met Reverend Martyn Weaver, of All Saints Church, before he started his capital trek.

Mr Long is a hardened veteran of many long distance walks and has received the MBE for his charity work, including a 1,000-kilometre walk from London to Lausanne in Switzerland, for the Royal British Legion.

This year’s event is his third consecutive birthday walk, after Mr Long travelled 84 miles along Hadrian’s Wall, carrying a backpack with a 20kg weight, for his 84th birthday and 85 miles along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal last year for his 85th birthday.

Mr Long said: “My feet feel tender after the walk on Saturday, but I am determined to do it.

“I have never had sore feet after I have done a walk before. I can’t resist raising money for charity.

“I don’t have a fundraising target in mind, I just want to raise as much money as I can.”

His previous fundraising feats have included him walking 127 miles from Liverpool to Leeds along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in 2010, in aid of the then Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr John Godward’s, appeal.

During his career, Mr Long owned a textile company, worked as a project manager for Bradford Council and for British Transport Police in London.

To sponsor Mr Long, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/jeffrey-long1, or mydonate.bt.com/events/jeffreylongmbe, or send a cheque made payable to The Poppy Appeal to The Royal British Legion, 73-75 Albion Street, Leeds, LS1 5AA.