TWO Hampshire men are set to walk more than 100 miles from ‘cathedral to cathedral’ in aid of a national charity.

Winchester resident Jem Musselwhite is hoping to raise £2,000 for Nerve Tumours UK, an organisation that has supported his nine-year old granddaughter, Lilly Burbridge, who has neurofibromatosis.

Lilly was diagnosed with the genetic condition, which causes tumours to form on nerve tissue, at the age of five.

Jem will join forces with his long-term friend Rich White on the ten-day trip from Canterbury to Winchester, using the 120 mile-long historical route, Pilgrims’ Way.

He said: “As two guys in our late 50s, we have wanted to do a significant walk for many years.

“The condition, which is very close to my heart as it affects my beautiful eldest granddaughter, is drastically under funded in the UK, with nursing support being withdrawn and diminished all across the country.

“We have been doing lots of training walks and will give it our best shot over the 10 days.”

The pair have known each other since starting work together in the construction industry in 1976.

Rich, who lives in Ampfield, is now working in property development, and Jem is the director of his own company based in Winchester.

Jem Musselwhite Ltd is an architectural consultancy that provides plans for local authority approval.

Along the route, the duo will stay overnight in pubs with accommodation.

Jem said: “Rich has planned everything like a military operation! We even have a Pilgrims’ Way walk card we have to get stamped at various points along the route.

“We’ll keep ourselves entertained with our usual good banter and sense of fun. The pub stops will also be very ‘entertaining’!”

Jem and Rich will leave Canterbury Cathedral on Friday April 5 with Winchester Cathedral marked as the final destination.

The JustGiving page for the walk has nearly reached its target of £2,000 (link at bottom of package for updated number).

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jemrichpilgrimsway.