'We're walking 130 miles to a football match'

Two football fans are planning to walk 130.7 miles (210.3km) to a match to raise £10,000 for a dementia charity.

Bristol City supporters Phil Thomas and Simon Jones will start at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol and spend six days making their way to QPR's Loftus Road stadium in London for a game on 12 April.

It is their second challenge for Dementia UK. Mr Thomas said his mother died of the illness last year just before the pair set off on their first challenge for the charity – a 53-mile (55.2km) walk to Cardiff.

Mr Jones said: "Dementia has hit so many families and people, that's what motivates us."

The pair, who are taking part in Dementia UK's Fans v Dementia initiative, said they decided to do something a "bit mad" this year.

Mr Jones said they "didn't fancy 115 miles on a direct route along the M4" so decided on a longer, more scenic route, which will take them along the Avon and Kennet canal to Reading, cross country to Slough then along part of Grand Union Canal.

They are planning to meet friends in a pub on match day before walking the final mile all together.

Someone in the UK develops dementia every three minutes, according to Dementia UK.

The NHS estimates there are 850,000 people with the illness in the UK.

Mr Jones said: "Virtually everybody we know has been affected by it, so it's just making sure we do our bit to raise funds for Dementia UK."

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