One man and his dog on charity hike (From This Is Wiltshire)

One man and his dog on charity hike

9:53am Monday 7th May 2007

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ONE man and his dog are about to embark on a 250-mile hike around the county boundary of Wiltshire to raise money for a hospice.

Peter Fletcher, of Kempsfield, Devizes, and his loyal Collie-cross companion Barnie, will be walking the boundary to raise money for Dorothy House Hospice, in Winsley.

After years of back problems, Mr Fletcher is now fit and ready and will be marking his 60th birthday on Friday, May 18 with the first day of the walk.

He said: "I'm raising money for the hospice because cancer is one of those conditions that affect us all in one or another and I just wanted to do my bit to help.

"I have drawn up a map but as I go along I will update it. Then at the end Dorothy House are going to turn it into a little book which they are hoping to sell to raise funds."

The dedicated walker is likely to be battling the warmer-than-average weather conditions on the trek, but both he and Barnie have put in many hours and miles of training to prepare.

Mr Fletcher, who is now retired, said: "We've walked from Devizes to Avebury and back and try to get out as much as I can. Barnie has been in training with me. We have been trying to get out and get our stamina up. It's funny because at the end of the day he still wants to go for walks."

Mr Fletcher is aiming to average at least 20 miles a day, starting from 8.30am, in order to complete the challenge within two weeks.

Dorothy House's director of fundraising and communications, Katrina Sudbury said: "Peter has set himself a demanding challenge. As far as we know, no-one has ever done a sponsored walk around the Wiltshire boundary - and we are delighted that he has chosen Dorothy House to benefit from his efforts.

"Some of our staff will be joining Peter - and Barnie, of course - as they set off on the walk, and we hope others will join him along the way.

"We rely on people like Peter to raise funds for the hospice, and we wish him well on his journey round the county."

If you would like to sponsor Mr Fletcher and Barnie, or join them for part or all of the trek, call Dorothy House fundraising on (01225) 721480 or visit his website at www.justgiving.com/walkingwiltshire For those who would like to monitor Mr Fletcher's progress visit www.dorothyhouse.co.uk

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