FIVE local residents commenced the challenge of walking the length of the River Tamar yesterday (Wednesday) in an attempt to raise as much money as they can for the Robert Johns Leukaemia Fund.

Paul Hamlyn, Roy Cobbledick, Bob Johns, Hazel Cartwright and Jo James — along with Colin Taylor as support driver — are also using the walk as an opportunity to celebrate the year of their own respective birthday landmarks (50, 65, 70, 60 and 40).

The walk, which consists of around 60 miles, commenced at 9.30am yesterday from the Tamar's source near Kilkhampton with stop off points at the New Inn, the residences of Mr and Mrs Arthur and Christine Newton near Red Post, Whitstone Post Office before they stopped for the night at the Countryman Inn near North Petherwin.

They start walking today (Thursday) from the Countryman Inn, before pressing on to Launceston and the Town Square where the Mayor, Cllr Paul O'Brien, will greet them and Adi Harvey of No8 Cafe shall provide refreshments.

The next official stop will be at Treburley where the Springer Spaniel will offer a comfortable resting place for the dedicated fivesome. From there they will continue to the Swingletree Inn at Kelly Bray where they'll spend the night.

Tomorrow (Friday), the group will be given an official send off by the Portreath of Callington, Mrs Karen Gold, at 10am from the Swingletree Inn and will then continue onwards, heading towards their final destination at Saltash Bridge — via the Coryton Arms at St Mellion and the Holland Inn near Saltash.

A welcome from the Mayor of Saltash Cllr Adam Killeya, the town crier, nurses from the children's cancer unit at Derriford Hospital and Plymouth University students will conclude their journey.

Anyone wishing to give their support to the charity can either greet the walkers en route or make a donation through the official website, which can be found at http://www.rjlf.org.uk">www.rjlf.org.uk.