BAKERY boss David Smart is using his loaf to raise some serious dough for a charity close to his heart.

Mr Smart, managing director at Greenhalgh’s Craft bakery, is swapping the boardroom for the open road and pulling on his hiking boots in memory of his mother, who died last year.

Kathleen Smart suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease and her 60-year-old son is now aiming to raise at least £6,000 for The Alzheimer’s Society.

Between July 21 and August 4 Mr Smart, who worked his way up from apprentice to running Greenhalgh’s and has been dubbed “Britain’s most passionate baker", will be walking the 192 mile Wainwright Way — a mostly un-signposted long-distance footpath from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay.

The walk takes him through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors national parks.

Mr Smart said: “I came up with this idea a couple of years ago — it’s always been a personal goal to walk Coast to Coast.

"After I lost my mum it made sense to do the walk on behalf of The Alzheimer’s Society."

The trek is even more of a challenge for Mr Smart as he admits he is not keen on walking.

"Being a son of a baker I’m on my feet a lot in the bakery but not across a hillside," he said.

"Having had four children and a business I am either at work or at home with my family, so country walks have been few and far between.

"Although, I am very excited to take on the mammoth challenge."

Mr Smart will be accompanied on the walk by his good friend Mark Power, who is taking part on behalf of the Huntington's Disease

Association.

"I am glad to be bringing a friend as I do love a good chat, but I don’t think I would mind walking alone as I can talk to anyone," said Mr Smart.

" I think I would have a friend in every town by the end of the walk."

He is hoping members of the public will join him on the walk and even wear a tee shirt bearing his text to donate number.

"We are so impressed with how supportive people have been — on our Just Giving page alone we have raised close to £1,000 already for The Alzheimer's Society.

"It’s such a cruel disease and the sooner we can find a way to help the 520,000 people in the UK with Alzheimer’s disease the better!

"I would like to involve as many people as I can and try and raise as much money for a cause I care deeply about."

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greenhalghs-cb