GEMMA Drew sets out on a tough route march today in a bid to help the cancer-stricken aunt she regards as a sister.

The fundraiser is the latest in a series of events organised by friends and family of mother-of-two Julie Basleigh from Redhouse, who is fighting terminal brain cancer to have more time with her young daughters.

It follows an 81-mile walk all the way from Swindon to the gates of Buckingham Palace by Mara Soto that raised almost £400 for the fund last month.

Gemma, Mara and some of her friends decided to see if they could raise some more with a repeat performance.

“We wanted to do a shorter walk to somewhere that was easy to get home from,” said Gemma. So they opted for a 43-mile trek to Bristol.

Gemma explained she lived with her grandmother when she was a child and built a close relationship with her two aunts. “They were basically like my older sisters,” she said.

Julie’s diagnosis had been a devastating blow but she added: “I don’t think we would be where we are if our family wasn’t so supportive.”

Today’s walk was almost postponed because Mara’s knee, hurt during last month’s effort, still hadn’t recovered. But because of work commitments the team decided to stick with it.

“I did a 22-mile overnight walk for Brighter Futures before we started fundraising for Julie and I did that with not as much training as I should have done,” said Gemma.

This time she has done some walking and she goes to regular Zumba classes.

Gemma is due to set off at 7am today with Indi Taylor, Renata Prokop, Shane Osbourn and Steve Fleming. They hope to reach the riverside in Bristol sometime around 10.30pm tonight.

“All of us know Mara but none of us have ever met each other,” she said. “When you’re walking with people you don’t really know at least you have got a lot to talk about.”

So far the walkers have raised about £400 and Julie’s fund has passed £11,000.

Julie, aged 38, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme tumour in 2014 after she suffered a seizure. It was the same form of cancer that killed her father a decade ago.

She was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but following three clear MRI scans she was given the devastating news that the tumour was back.

Her family and friends are trying to raise £150,000 to pay for treatment that could give her more years to be with her young daughters.

To sponsor the walkers visit gofundme.com/bristoltrek