It's a long way from Winchester to Westminster - but every step will be worth it for a group of Ray Barnes' friends who are organising a walk to help him get back on his feet - literally.

For Ray, from Badger Farm, life changed completely a year ago when he suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage.

It happened as he was riding his bike up St Catherine's Hill - something he had done hundreds of times before.

He was rushed to hospital to have a blood clot removed and was in a coma for two months before being moved to an intensive rehabilitation centre in Bath, where he began the mammoth task of re-learning how to eat, walk and talk.

Paralysed down his left side and wheelchair-bound, Ray (35) is now in a specialist head injury clinic in Southampton.

"There are not many of these centres in the country so we were lucky to have one near here," said his partner, Johanne Coutts-Mayes.

She's organising the sponsored walk, along with a clutch of Ray's friends from the Ship Inn, at Owslebury.

Clive Mansell, landlord of the Ship Inn, says he and Ray are old friends and the two of them used to cycle and play various sports together.

He has rallied the staff at his pub and so far there are about 10 people planning to make the non-stop, 72-mile trip from Winchester Guildhall to Big Ben on Sunday, September 22nd.

"We're hoping to do it in less than 24 hours so a big section, from Alresford to outside Woking, will be in the dark. But, at three miles an hour, we should be able to do it," he said.

They are now appealing for more walkers to do all or part of the route, as well as helpers and sponsors.

Johanne hopes to put sponsorship cash towards a wheelchair ramp but she says the money could also go towards converting a shower room or paying for day trips and alternative therapies.

There's a meeting at the Ship Inn on Monday, September 16th, starting at 8pm, for anyone wishing to take part in the walk. To sponsor a walker or make a donation to the Ray Barnes Trust Fund, ring Johanne on 01962-855755 or by e-mail, johanne75@btopenworld.com