A FORMER Afghan translator is set to take on a 50-mile walk across Dorset to raise money for the Weymouth Veterans Hub.

Akhtar Mohammad, 21, was a translator in Afghanistan working alongside British and American troops.

He moved to Weymouth as a refugee in 2021, where he now lives and is studying aviation.

After moving to Dorset, he was supported by the Veterans Hub on Portland Road and has met British veterans who served in Afghanistan.

Mr Mohammad said he wanted to try to raise money for the hub as a way of thanking the volunteers there.

To do that, he will embark on a 50-mile walk along the South West Coast Path, joined by his friend Heather of Portland Global Friendship Group.

He said: "I worked in Afghanistan for six months, supporting hundreds of British troops who were serving their country and my country.

"My job was to translate for them and to tell them what was going on.

"I moved to Weymouth to get a job and to study.

"I fell in love with Dorset, I love the seaside and I love Weymouth and Portland and the people here.

"The Veterans Hub is amazing, I would love for people to see how important they are in the community.

"I would like to do more for them, but I am studying at the moment, so this is something I can do to help them out.

"A lot of the veterans in Weymouth were in Afghanistan, I want to try and do things to help them."

Asked about taking on the 50-mile trek, he added: "I am used to it, I am from a large country with lots of hills.

"I have walked with troops for six months before so I should be ok."

Heather, who did not give her surname, added: "Akhtar is a hero in my book.

"The walk came about when he found out that the Veterans Hub does not receive government funding, he was sad to hear that veterans can be forgotten about.

"He was shocked to learn that a lot of veterans end up homeless.

"We both wanted to raise some money so we decided to walk the South West Coast Path."

The duo will provide updates on when they will start the walk in the coming weeks.

To donate to their challenge, visit donorbox.org and search for Akhtar & Heathers Coastal Challenge