Pair step out on '˜rhodes' for charity

Ben Moorhouse, 33, originally from Shelf and Gaynor Thompson, 35, originally from Ovenden, will walk the full east coast of Rhodes, Greece, in just two days, next month. It’s an attempt to beat their challenge of three days, achieved last year.

The challenge will raise money for The Steve Prescott Foundation, in honour of the international rugby league player Steve Prescott, who died of cancer in 2013.

Ben said: “Steve Prescott always looked at ways to make an extreme challenge even more challenging and this is why we have decided to go back to Rhodes and walk the east coast in two days whilst walking in the intense heat.

“People said we could not do the challenge last year in three days as it was too hot. Gaynor and I have to take our walking to a new level and by doing this extreme walk in two days we will certainly be doing something that only a few people would even attempt.”

Boston Ndoole, from Channel 4s Walking the Nile will give the pair expert advice for the extreme challenge. In preparation for the walk, the pair have followed a strict diet and train at the gym five times a week. They have already completed a number of long-distance training walks to build themselves up to the challenge. Ben and Gaynor will complete the walk in two stages. On August 1 they will begin in Prasonisi and walk 50 miles to Afandou. During this stage Ben and Gaynor will go via Lindos and go to the top of the acropolis. on August 2, the pair will walk 20 miles from Afandou to Mandraki.

They are being sponsored by Sheard Packaging, Greetland, and Mezza Muscle, Halifax. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/rhodesextremechallengewalk2016