TWO fathers are preparing to walk 84 miles along Hadrian's Wall over three days to raise cash for causes close to their hearts.

Bill Parkinson and Simon Hodgson, from Catterick Garrison, will camp in between each full day of walking to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Catterick Garrison Football Centre.

Mr Parkinson, a serving soldier with 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster currently based at the Infantry Training Centre on the garrison, is a volunteer coach for the Under 11s team.

He said: "My friend Simon told about his idea to do the walk to raise money for JDFR so I wanted to show him some solidarity by going with him, but also raising money for the football club at the same time.

"The team is run by volunteers and parents who give a lot of their time so I wanted to give the teams a boost.

"Simon and I are funding the equipment needed for the walk so any cash raised can go to JDFR and to the club, where it will go towards much-needed kit and equipment for the 2019/2020 season."

Mr Parkinson and Mr Hodgson will start the walk on May 3, and aim to complete about 30 miles for the first two days, and 24 miles on the final day.

He said: "We have been preparing with walks to Northallerton and back from Catterick Garrison which is about 32 miles.

"All the money raised will go straight to our charities."

Mr Hodgson's daughter Hannah, 16, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was eight.

Mr Hodgson said: "We were all in shock, we didn't know anything about diabetes or how it would affect our lives. We had an amazing team of doctors and nurses, but it was still hard to take in.

"Hannah was counting carbs, finger picking and injecting up to eight times a day, which was stressful and difficult to deal with when her levels were either high or low. She has had to learn to get on and just accept that this is how life is and we are extremely proud of her and her attitude towards the endless checking and carb counting, now made easier with a pump, so no more injecting."

"As medicine and technology advances there will hopefully be a cure and nobody will have to face a lifetime of struggles."

To support the football club visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bill-parkinson-2.

To support JDFR visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steph-si-hodgson?utm_source=Facebook