Villager gets ready for charity walk (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Villager gets ready for charity walk

THE impact of multiple sclerosis on the life of a friend has inspired an Upper Minety woman to walk 50 miles across Wiltshire to raise money for research into the disease.

On August 26, Alison Bailey will embark on a three-day journey from Pewsey to Avebury, along the way taking in famous landmarks such as the county's chalk horses and stone circles.

The 61-year-old widow is one of thousands of walkers expected to raise money for the MS Society by taking part in the BIGFoot Challenge.

Alison, who has previously done the Moonwalk for breast cancer research, completed the challenge last year, netting more than £1,000 for the charity, but hopes this year to beat that total.

She was largely inspired to take part in the event because of her friend and fellow villager Alicia Toop-Rose, 32, who has lived with MS for more than seven years.

She said: "I like a challenge and particularly since my husband died I need to get out and do different things.

"Having done the Moonwalk I didn't want to do that again so I found this 50 mile walk.

"Knowing Alicia and her problems I thought this was something that people in the village could relate to."

Alicia's parents Valerie and John run the village store and have helped by keeping sponsorship forms and a collection tin on the counter and putting up a poster promoting the BIGFoot Challenge.

Alicia, who two years ago was very poorly with the illness, only keeps it under control through medication.

She is very grateful to her friend for her efforts, saying: "It's fantastic, brilliant. With the collection tin being in the shop it's nice to be able to support the MS Society and to be able to support it on a local level."

Alison is a keen walker and will be putting in plenty of miles in preparation for the challenge, during which she will sleep in a special tented city in Marlborough.

If you would like to sponsor Alison call her on 01666 860292 or drop in to the village store and post office in Upper Minety.