Duo travel back in time to take on a 120-mile canal stroll!

Gavin Blissett (46) and Ben Langham (41) plan to walk from London to Market Harborough to raise money for mental health charity Mind and head injuries charity Headway.

They estimate the walk will take them five to six days from their start day on Saturday, April 1, camping rough and “foraging” in pubs and shops for food.

“And we’re actually going to do it in period dress of the early 1920s” said Gavin.

“In the early 20th century destitute young men and woman often tramped along the towpath of the Grand Union canal from London to the industrial heartland of the Midlands in the hope of finding work.”

Both Mind and Headway are charities close to Gavin’s heart.

Gavin suffered from a nervious breakdown last year, but is now on the mend and “very nearly running at 100 per cent”.

This is his second charity walk for Mind - he walked Hadrian’s Wall last year.

He’s raising money for Headway too, because his sister - Katherine Boulton - suffered from a major brain haemorrhage last October, while she was pregnant (see story on opposite page).

“Incredibly baby Phoebe was born successfully on Christmas Day and is now doing well” he said.

“Any donations will go towards the rehabilition and support of people like Katherine who have suffered serious head traumas.”

If anybody would like to join Gavin and Ben for some of their walk “you are more than welcome” said Gavin. Look out too for their youtube vlogs once the walk starts.

And if you want to sponsor the walk, go to the website at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/gavinjblissett