A HAMPSHIRE engineer is preparing to complete a gruelling challenge to help the blind.

30 year old Luke Barker from Gosport will be competing in the 100k London to Brighton walk for Blind Veterans UK for the second, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Luke, who is also an army reservist, said: "For me it was a fantastic opportunity to give something back to the veterans of this country who are living with sight loss.

"As a serving Army Reservist, it’s a cause that’s a close to my heart.

“The whole event itself is just an awesome experience.

"I was lucky enough to do it with my brother and I’ll be doing it with a few other close friends this year. It’s a fantastic bonding experience.”

Last year, Luke and his brother Daniel, were able to place 16th and 17th respectively, coming in at 22 and a half hours.

He said: "Don’t get me wrong, I was in a lot of pain! But to put things into perspective, at the beginning of the race we were fortunate enough to listen to a briefing from a blind veteran called Shaun.

"As well as having no sight, Shaun is a double-amputee, having been hit by an Improvised Explosive Device while on tour in Afghanistan at the age of just 19.

"Yet despite everything he’s been through, when you listen to the positivity with which he speaks, and the sporting achievements he’s been able to accomplish on his prosthetics, you find yourself in awe and incredibly motivated.

"If Shaun can go through so much, having given so much, then you can be sure I’m going to endure a 22-hour walk!"

This years event will take place from between July 7 and 8 and will see participants start off at the Hammersmith and Fulham Rugby Club, before crossing the North Downs, walking via woodland and small villages to Sussex and through the South Downs to Brighton.

Talking about this years event, Luke added: "“I can’t wait. I absolutely cannot wait.

"The sense of achievement is like nothing else, and the opportunity to meet the very veterans you’re raising money for is incredibly moving."

To find out more about Luke's challenge, please visit justgiving.com/lukebarker-gosport.