BUSINESSMAN and fundraiser Dave Berry will mark his 80th birthday by driving two lengths of the UK on a nationwide fundraising appeal for Mary Stevens Hospice.

The chairman of Berrys Fuelling Technologies Limited, who has raised more than £20,000 for the Stourbridge charity in recent years, will drive a classic Rolls Royce from John O’Groats to Land’s End for the local cause.

As well as Dave’s 80th birthday, 2016 also marks the 50th anniversary of his company and the 25th anniversary of the Hagley Road hospice, providing him the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to a “year of celebrations”.

Charlotte Schofield, Mary Stevens Hospice’s head of fundraising, said: “It’s just such a wonderful and generous thing to do for us.

“Dave has been a dedicated and passionate fundraiser for many years, and to choose to celebrate his 80th birthday and the anniversary of his company by doing something on this scale for us really does tell you all you need to know about him.

“He's a wonderful man, and we can't wait to see people from all across the country coming together in support of Dave and the hospice.”

Dave’s fundraising journey will start with a long drive from the hospice’s headquarters up to John O'Groats, before he sets off to Land's End, stopping off at various checkpoints all across the UK.

The 14 checkpoints will be manned by friends, family, colleagues and supporters who have all pledged to support the hospice and Dave’s challenge.

He’ll be visiting them all in person to collect their donations, zig-zagging across the country to pass through each of his checkpoints as he makes his way back to Stourbridge in time for the hospice's car show on Saturday, August 13.

Following the car show, Dave will be back on the road once again, making his way down to his last checkpoint at Land's End.

The final stage of his journey will be the return trip from Land’s End back up to the hospice, where he would have clocked up more than 2,200 miles.

Dave said: “With the company I founded many years ago, Mary Stevens Hospice, and myself all reaching momentous anniversaries, I felt that 2016 was a year in which we could celebrate together.

“My ‘JOGLE’ (John O’Groats to Land’s End) hopefully will show that I am not yet quite passed it, and the hospice will benefit from people's generosity and support for this great cause.”

To support Dave’s driving challenge, and donate to Mary Stevens Hospice, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dave-berry-jogle