A RSPCA inspector from Wirral is about to embark on a 100km trek of the Sahara Desert to raise cash for a local animal centre.

Anthony Joynes had originally wanted to raise £2,500 for the Car Lane, Wallasey animal centre but has since seen a surge of donations, taking his grand total to more than £4000.

Four years ago Anthony was a part of a team of RSPCA inspectors who helped raise more than £67,000 after climbing to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Now Anthony is determined to raise as much cash as he can for the centre on his Sahara trek that starts on Saturday, February 25.

He said: “I am doing a 100km trek in the southern Moroccan Sahara desert for our local RSPCA animal centre which rehabilitates and rehomes around 1,000 animals every year throughout Wirral and Chester. 

“I climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2013 for the RSPCA and this is my next challenge. I wanted to do it for our local animal centre because I couldn't work the way I do if they were not there to support me the way that they do. 

“The centre will quite happily take animals that I have rescued that are quite often in awful condition and have been subjected to horrendous neglect and cruelty. They will spend lots of time providing these animals with the love and care they require to give them a second chance at life with loving family. 

“Probably the best recent example of that is Reo the German shepherd that I rescued last year. She was in an appalling state but against all odds and months of treatment and care later she was successfully rehomed to a new loving family. That is why I am fundraising for RSPCA Wirral and Chester in a nutshell, many hundreds of animals every single year wouldn't have a chance at life if the RSPCA were not around.

“The support so far from the public has been great as it was in 2013 when I last fundraised.”

For more information on how to donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joynesrspca