The countdown has begun for a team of three local daredevil amateur walkers who have challenged themselves to a 12 day pilgrimage to Rome in aid of the Flutterby Fund.

Patrick Trant, 66, Tom Finley, 66, and Andy Ray, 54, will set off from Pisa on September 1 to embark on their journey through the Alps to Rome, following the famous Via Francigena route.

The threesome will cover a staggering 200 miles over their trek in a bid to smash their £40,000 fundraising target for the Southampton based charity - an organisation that provides funding for therapy and equipment for special needs children from low income families.

Each day, the group will cover 16.5 miles on foot through the rural landscapes and terrain before they reach Rome on September 15, and hopefully achieve their target sum which has already been kick-started with a generous £5,000 donation from the Barker-Mill foundation.

The initial contribution has sparked further interest from local business and organisations that has enabled the team to raise a further £3,000 for their efforts.

Chairman of Trant Engineering, Patrick, says: “We are all very excited to start our adventure in aid of such a great charity. The Barker-Mill Foundation have provided a great platform for us to encourage further donations with their contribution, and we hope to continue raising funds in the coming months to reach our target.

“We are fundraising in aid of the Flutterby Fund as they are providing important funding for Sophia's House, a Solent based clinic that offers therapies for Special needs children. My niece requires special needs and is looked after there, so the charity and this organisation is something that is very close to my heart.

“With £9,000 raised so far, we hope to reach the £40,000 target by mid-July so are calling out for more donations now to help make a difference to a really wonderful cause. We are all really looking forward to the challenge and welcoming friends and family to join us throughout various legs of the trek.”

Tim Jobling, Trustee at the Barker-Mill Foundation says: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make a donation for a great local charity and a very impressive fundraising activity. The pilgrimage to Rome is a fantastic challenge and we are backing Patrick and his team all the way.

“The money raised makes all the difference in providing special needs children with the support and equipment they need but cannot afford so we are hoping that, with the help from further donations, they can reach their target in good time.”

Blob

To find out more about the Flutterby Fund visit www.facebook.com/flutterbyfund.org.uk or to make a donation visit www.paypal-donations.co.uk/pp-charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=72396.