A FLYING dentist is jetting off to six UK airports in 24 hours to help people with learning disabilities.

Marcus Woof, who flies with Herefordshire Aero Club, will cover more than 1,200 miles raising money for Mencap in the Midlands.

Marcus thought of the challenge as a way of both fundraising and celebrating his 50th birthday.

“I have spent a lot of my career treating people with various disabilities and I have done work for Mencap in the past. I also have a significant birthday coming up and thought a charity flight was a bit different.

“I’ll be flying all over the UK in a day and stopping at airports which spell out Mencap.”

Marcus will take off from Shobdon on August 1 and stop off in Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff, Aldergrove (Belfast) and Plymouth.

“Organising Manchester was a headache because it is so busy, but they have given us a landing slot at 6am, as long as we are off by 6.25am,” he added.

“They have waived the charges and the other airports have been brilliant too – Newcastle and Edinburgh have even donated tanks of fuel.”

To help Marcus reach his target, go to justgiving.com/flyingdentist