A SWINDON man has raised more than £2,000 for charity after completing a 10-day trek across New Zealand.

Graham Hilling, 25, from Spencer Close in Shaw, joined 50 other adventurers - including TV star Linda Robson - for the hike across rugged mountainous terrain.

In all the trip, which took place between November 22 and December 3, raised more than £132,000 for The Children's Society.

Mr Hilling, who had never previously been out of Europe, said it was fun but extremely hard work. He said: "The scenery was fantastic, it was a great way of seeing a different part of the world.

"The days were long however. We were up at 6am and didn't camp until 9pm.

"I would still encourage anyone with a sense of adventure to join a Children's Society trek though."

Mr Hilling's highlight of the trip was scaling Mount Fyffe, which is more than 1,600ft high. He said: "It was absolutely superb. It started as a dirt track then slowly transformed into rugged terrain.

"The mountain overlooks the Kaikoura Peninsular and with the shimmering blue green waters of the Pacific below it was a stunning climb to the top.

"That was a highlight for me, along with a seal coming up to us in Abel Tasman beach."

Mr Hilling said he got on well with the actress better known as Sharon Stubbs in the popular TV series Birds Of A Feather.

He said: "Linda was cool. Everyone got on really well with her. She got stuck in and worked really hard like the rest of us."

Mr Hilling said he first heard about the treks seven years ago when he worked for Tog 24 an outdoor shop in the Great Western Designer Outlet Village.

"The chain does a lot for the charity and when I was there I put myself on the mailing list," he said.

"One day I received a notice telling about the trip. I hadn't done much travelling before so I jumped at the chance."

Money is still rolling in and Mr Hilling hopes to reach £2,400 shortly.

In addition, when he is not climbing mountains, he also raises cash for the charity through gigs with his band The Silent Getaway.

n A return to New Zealand is planned between November 20 and 30 next year and in June the Society will be leading a group up the 19,340ft peak of Mount Kilimanjaro Africa's highest mountain. To get involved in either trip call 0845 300 1128. kshoesmith@newswilts.co.uk