Keith walks the walk to raise charity funds (From Gazette Series)

Keith walks the walk to raise charity funds

A MAN from Wickwar is putting his best foot forward to embark on a mammoth task in aid of a national charity.

Keith James of Honeyborne Way will be taking part in the MS Society's 50-mile trek across the Wiltshire countryside to raise money for services and crucial research into Multiple Sclerosis.

The Bigfoot Challenge, which is in its fourth year and takes place in August, takes three days to complete and so far Mr James has had no trouble finding generous sponsors.

"This is the first time I've done the walk and I've have already raised £350 in sponsorship money," he said. "I'm hoping to get about £450 in total."

Mr James, 58, whose wife Barbara suffers from MS, will be joined by his children Andrew and Elizabeth and sister-in-law Ailsa Hayes on the trek.

"It was actually Ailsa that persuaded me to get involved as she'd already managed to persuade the children to do it," he explained. And although wife Barbara will be unable to take part in the walk itself she is hoping to help out on the campsites where the weary walkers will rest after a hard day of exercise.

More than 300 people are expected to take part in the walk and the route, which starts in Pewsey, near Marlborough, will take walkers around some of Britain's most famous landmarks before finishing in Avebury.

Shane Hickey, fund-raising manager at the MS Society said: "Bigfoot is a unique concept. It's about bringing a community of people together with one aim, to cross the finish line.

"It is so emotional everyone really pulls together, particularly over the last few miles when the feet have had more than they can take."

Despite the enormity of the task Mr James told the Gazette he was looking forward to the challenge.

"I'm sure it won't be as bad as it seems," he said. "I have started training by going out about three nights a week so hopefully that will be enough."