AN office worker is to trade his desk job for a trek through the forests of Sri Lanka to raise money for charity.

Michael Downes, from Lanchester, is preparing for the sponsored trek in October, aiming to raise money for three hospice charities.

The 27-year-old, from the Newcastle branch of accountancy firm KPMG, is among a group of 18 workmates who will take on the 75km trek to raise money for St Oswald's Hospice, in Newcastle, the national Help the Hospices charity and the Shantha Sevana Hospice, in Sri Lanka.

The expedition team will tackle dense forest, tea and coconut plantations, rapids and also climb the Unesco-listed rock fortress at Sigiriya.

Mr Downes said: "KPMG's staff-selected charity this year is Help the Hospices, so I was keen to take on a challenge that would enable me to raise funds for it as well as supporting a local hospice and one in Sri Lanka, where the trek is taking place.

"KPMG developed links with Sri Lanka after the tsunami, when the firm funded the redevelopment of five villages, so it feels good to be fulfilling a charitable challenge there."

He added: "I am aiming to raise £3,000 from this trek, so I welcome visitors to my fundraising page at www.just giving.com/treksrilanka. I think it's important I train hard to ensure I can complete the challenge."

As part of his training, Mr Downes will complete the Great North Run, in September, before leaving for Sri Lanka.

on October 26.