Swindon duo will try to go without sleep during 184-mile charity walk (From Swindon Advertiser)

Swindon duo will try to go without sleep during 184-mile charity walk

7:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Matthew Edwards

TWO friends are going to deprive themselves of sleep as they step out to help two charities.

Phil Horwood and Pete Leavy are aiming to walk 184 miles along the Thames Path on Easter weekend to raise money for Save The Children and the Prospect Hospice.

To make it more challenging they are attempting to walk as far as they can without sleep, taking only occasional five minute rests.

The pair have been preparing for the walk by exercising, but are not sure how the sleep deprivation will affect them and think it will be more of a mental challenge than a physical one.

Phil, 50, who works for Datasharp Telecom, in Old Town, said: “We wanted to do something that is a real challenge for two really good causes.

“Prospect is the big charity in Swindon and they provide amazing care.

“My brother and dad both spent time there so it is something that is close to my heart.

“The second charity is Save The Children, which a lot of people don’t realise, do a lot of work in this country and I think it is a really good charity to support.

“I have walked from Swansea to Swindon before so it is something I am used to, but that was over four days and we were sleeping each night so it wasn’t as much of a challenge.

“I learnt a lot of lessons from it because I wore walking boots instead of trainers and ended up getting a lot of blisters so I will make sure I make changes this time.

“All donations, even the smallest, will be greatly welcomed and appreciated.”

Pete, 35, of Old Town, was roped into the challenge with his friend during a drink in the pub and has said that they will be joined along the route by friends which will help.

He said: “I think the biggest thing will be the mental challenge rather than the physical side of things.

“Prospect is a great charity and when I have been talking to people about what we are doing a lot of people know somebody that has been affected.

“I have friends and family that live along the course so they will join us and be collecting with us along the way.”

To donate to the pintredpid duo’s cause please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/philandpeteslongwalk