Veterans walk 100 miles for The Gurkha Welfare Trust

JANE Slater and John Wilton are both aged 84 - and decided they wanted to walk to raise funds for people desperate for water.

And despite illness, they walked an incredible 100 miles - Jane 56 and John 44.

Jane, from East Dean near Eastbourne, said: "It was a real challenge and a real privilege to take part in the 'Walk for Water.'

"It wasn't without its challenges - John was ill in bed for three days and then he was unwell for another three days.

"I was due to be with my son and his family in Italy, but that had to be delayed because John was unwell.

"When I finally arrived in Italy, I kept walking - sometimes up to three miles a day.

"I had to do it - it was something we had both pledged to do, and nothing was going to stop me."

John is a seasoned fundraiser. In 2008 - when he was Rotary District Governor - he organised a Paul Harris Fellowship - the highest Rotary accolade - to TV personality Joanna Lumley for her work with the Gurkhas.

He proudly carried the Olympic Torch through Bexhill in 2012, and that is when he first met his walking partner Jane.

He said: "Jane first saw me in 2012 when I let her hold my Olympic Torch. She knew I was a long distance walker having completed ten marathons in ten days in a previous fundraising challenge for Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

"We have raised around £1500 through donations from family and friends. Next year we plan to have a bigger team and together cover 1000 miles."

A total of 41 people took part in Walk for water, raising around £9000.