The co-owner and director of a Midlands-based estate agency is donning his walking boots to take on the 100-mile Cotswold Way to raise money for cancer charities.

Mike Cleary, of Sheldon Bosley Knight (SBK), will start the five-day marathon walk in Bath today. From there he will walk to Old Sodbury, then to Dursley, to Birdlip and to Winchcombe before arriving in Chipping Campden on Monday 26th September.

The walk has been inspired by SBK employee Sophie Mockler who was diagnosed with a form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in February this year. Fortunately, Sophie, the company’s rural surveyor, has responded well to treatment and has completed her last chemotherapy session.

Cleary, who last September walked the 73-mile Cumbrian Way in 72 hours, said he hopes to raise £2,500 for the cancer charities of Mockler’s choice.

He said: “I promised Sophie I would walk the 100-mile Cotswold Way for her cancer charity and I’m a man of my word.

“I will be joined by my brother-in-law Martin Edwards and will attempt to do this in just five days walking north from Bath – starting by catching the 6.41am train from Leamington Spa on Thursday September 22 – and ending with celebratory beers on Monday September 26 in Chipping Campden.

“Last September, I walked the Cumbrian Way, 73 miles in 72 hours and it was up there as one of the hardest things I have ever done.

“I suspect this will be harder, but not as much of a challenge than that which Sophie has hopefully just overcome. Her tenacity to prevail has motivated us all and I am determined to do her proud.”

Along the way the pair will be supported by friends and family as well as the 100 staff from SBK. Some have even promised to walk with them on part of the legs to help raise even more money for Sophie.

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