Anthony Cook’s friends think he’s hopping mad.

The 26-year-old Calne man will hop the seven miles between Chippenham and Calne 1980s-style – on a space hopper.

Mr Cook, an agency worker who lives in Abberd Way, agreed to the bizarre challenge after a drunken night out.

He said: “It was a drunken moment of madness to be honest. I just thought ‘why not’.”

Mr Cook will be trying to raise money for Cancer Research UK. But, despite having owned a space hopper for a while, he confesses he hasn’t had much practice.

He said: “The furthest I have been on it is up and down the hallway at home.

“I went and walked the distance a couple of weeks ago, from Wilkinsons in Chippen-ham to the King’s Arms in Calne, and it took me about two hours. So on that basis I am guessing it will take me about seven hours on the space hopper.

“I have been working in the gym to build up my legs ready for the challenge but really I have no idea how hard I am going to find it.

“I have got friends and family following me in the car with refreshments and a spare space hopper, just in case of an emergency.

“I tried to get some of them to take part but they all said ‘no’. But lots of friends have sponsored me, lots of people at the King’s Arms especially have been very generous.

“Cancer Research UK is such a good cause, everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and you never know when you might need their help.”

Mr Cook’s challenge starts at Wilkinsons, in Chippenham, at 10am on July 14.