TWO Bridport pub bosses are trekking 25km along a canal to raise money for charity.

John and Geraldine Baker, from The Ropemakers, are hoping to raise money for Parkinson's UK when they take part in the Grand Union Canal walk in June. It will be the couple's second walk in aid of the charity after they raised more than £2,000 in the Thames Path Challenge last year.

John was diagnosed with emphysema four years ago, and found out last year he has Parkinson's disease. The couple see this as an opportunity to raise money to help research into the disease and eventually find a cure.

John said: "I was diagnosed with Parkinson's last February and would like to take the opportunities given to raise money for the charity and to continue to challenge myself.

"It's a moderately difficult walk - it is quite tough on your feet and on your muscles.

"We do go on training walks to prepare for it, but we're confident we will be fine as we have done one before.

"Last year we raised around £2,000 and we would like to achieve a similar amount this time. We will also be holding other fundraisers during the year including our birthday bash and a team of people abseiling down a tower near Shepton Mallet in Somerset."

Parkinson's affects around 127,000 people in the UK and on average every hour, someone is told that they have the disease.

Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising at Parkinson's UK, said: "Taking part in a UK challenge like a run or a cycle is a fantastic and rewarding way to raise vital funds to support our work.

"As the UK's Parkinson's support and research charity, we are leading the work to find a cure, and we're closer than ever. But our work is dependent on donations.

"We are incredibly grateful to John and Geraldine, for their support. I hope they will inspire others to take part in our events throughout the year."

John and Geraldine will carry out the challenge on Saturday June 27, walking from Maida Vale to Hayes in Middlesex, along the Grand Union Canal.

Sponsorship forms are available form The Ropemakers. To donate online, please visit justgiving.com/Ropemakers3