A Ham&High reporter is preparing to step into hiking boots and throw on a frock ahead of a 100km charity trek.

Ham & High: Oxfam Hampstead deputy manager Yvonne Chattington helps Tim Lamden squeeze into his new frock. Picture: Nigel Sutton.Oxfam Hampstead deputy manager Yvonne Chattington helps Tim Lamden squeeze into his new frock. Picture: Nigel Sutton. (Image: © Nigel Sutton email pictures@nigelsuttonphotography.com)

Tim Lamden is heading off to Yorkshire to take on the challenge with a cross-dressing twist in aid of Oxfam in June.

The 23-year-old, who joined the Ham&High in October, will join three school friends for Oxfam Trailtrekker 2013 on June 1.

He will trek 100km through the Yorkshire Dales to raise money in support of Oxfam’s work with impoverished people around the world.

Supporting the reporter in his challenge is the branch of Oxfam in Hampstead, whose staff have donated one of the shop’s larger dresses for him to wear during the challenge.

“This is the second time I’ve put on a dress for a charity endeavour,” said Mr Lamden.

“I imagine some might think I get a kick out of dressing like a woman. But it’s all in the name of charity and it’s great to get a local Oxfam shop involved.”

Mr Lamden and his friends, all originally from Gloucestershire, are aiming to complete the 100km walk in under 30 hours.

But to take part in the challenge the group must raise £1,400 between them.

So far, they have raised almost £900 in donations and hope to raise a further £500 before the challenge in just under six weeks.

Last Thursday, Mr Lamden visited Oxfam Hampstead, in Gayton Road, to pick a dress suitable for more than 24 hours of continuous walking on difficult terrain.

“The ladies at Hampstead Oxfam did me a real service,” he said.

“What the dress lacks in colour and style, it more than makes up for in practicality. There’s plenty of air space.”

Yvonne Chattington, 64, deputy manager of Oxfam Hampstead, was on hand to help find some suitable hiking attire.

“It’s difficult to fit a man’s size into the top half of our dresses but we managed to find something for Tim,” she said.

“We are very happy to support what he’s doing as we are the only Oxfam shop in Hampstead.”

Mr Lamden began his training for the challenge last week with a “warm-up” five-mile walk from London Bridge rail station to his home in East Dulwich.

He hopes to complete at least one walk from his south London home to the Ham&High’s Swiss Cottage office before June’s big day.

“My colleagues want me to walk to work in the dress but there’s little chance of that happening,” he said.

“They’ll have to wait and see the photos when I cross the finish line in Yorkshire.”

* If you wish to donate to Mr Lamden’s challenge and help his group to reach their £1,400 target, visit www.justgiving.com/wcw. Alternatively, text TWCW 50, followed by an amount up to £10 (for example, £2 or £5) to 70070.