A CHEPSTOW man has walked 100km in under 24 hours to raise funds for a Rogiet toddler to be able to walk unaided.

Andy Hosking, 43, of Barnetts Wood, completed the Thames Walk Challenge on the weekend which involved 23 hours and 15 minutes of walking along the river in London. The project manager at Mabey Bridge has raised £4,224 to help Ruby Atkins, three, who will be the flower girl at his wedding, to undergo an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy to help her walk unaided.

Mr Hosking started out in Putney Bridge at 9.40am on Saturday and finished in Henley at 8.55am on Sunday.

Mr Hosking said: "I never thought I would raise anything like that amount. It was hard but all worth it.

"I met up with Ruby and her parents at the 25km mark which helped me to push on through. The last 50km was the hardest but I was walking with a father and daughter so the three of us pushed each other on."

He added: "The last 25km was difficult as there was no light except for head torches and you really had to concentrate to walk in a straight line. It was a brilliant feeling and I was glad to finish."

The family and friends have surpassed the fundraising total of £40,000 and have raised £43,000 through various activities including a fun day, sponsored cycle ride and Abergavenny Three Peaks Challenge.

Antony Atkins, Ruby's father, said: "What Andy has raised is really excellent and the total gives us a bit of breathing space in terms of what we might need in addition. We couldn't put a firm figure on the physiotherapy Ruby will need after the operation but it will be intense physiotherapy."

The toddler will have a course of Botox treatment injected into her legs at the beginning of October at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny which will lead to an increase in physio exercises in the lead up to her operation. Mr Atkins said: "We have our second consultation with Great Ormond Street Hospital on the 20th of November which will hopefully be a green light for the operation and to discuss when the most suitable time for it.

"We are hoping it will be around April time before she is due to start school in September. It will involve a good year of intense physiotherapy but she will need physiotherapy for the rest of her life."