SWINDON Foodbank has announced its support for a local youth worker who has set out on a daunting 500 mile walk across northern Spain to raise funds for the charity.

On Monday Rob Burns, 30, of Upper Stratton, set off along The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, in a journey that stretches from the French border in north eastern Spain all the way to Galicia in the North West.

He flew to St Jean Pied de Port in France at the weekend and began the journey that he expects to complete in five weeks’ time.

He is doing the walk in aid of youth charity BIOS, who he has worked with for the past six years, and Swindon Foodbank and is hoping to raise £500 for each charity.

Cher Smith, project manager at the food bank, said: “We think it’s great that Rob is trying to raise £500 for us and for BIOS.

“Being a youth worker he is very aware of the issues we deal with and he wanted to do something to give back to the community.

“I think he is very brave doing it and I’m sure he will make a lot of friends along the way because it’s a very well-known pilgrimage route.

“I’ll be tracking his progress online and keeping a close eye on him. It’s very admirable what he’s doing and we support him every step of the way.”

So far he has raised just under £750 on his funding page and the food bank hopes to triple it by the time he comes home.

The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage route and the destination, Santiago de Compostela, is the alleged burial site of the apostle St. James.

Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world walk the Camino de Santiago every year, whether on their own or in a group, and Rob will be aiming to cover around 15 miles every day.

When he returns in five weeks’ time the food bank plans to throw a 'welcome home party' for their intrepid fundraiser at the depot in Whitbourne Avenue.

Speaking on his funding page, Rob said: “Swindon Foodbank provides emergency food supplies to families and individuals in need.

“Since launching in 2005 they have helped thousands of people in need and have seen demand rise year on year.

“It is terrible that in 21st century Britain people cannot afford the basic necessities needed for life and that is why charities such as Swindon Foodbank need as much support as they are able to get.”

The walk is being sponsored by Go Outdoors, who have supplied him with more than £200 worth of top of the range walking materials.

You can donate by logging on to www.gofundme.com/5weeks500miles.