TWO friends from Dorchester are joining forces to raise cash for two separate charities.

The pair will be completing a 130-mile trek along the Jurassic Coast in aid of The Esmee Godwin Fund and The Alfie O’Neill Cerebral Palsy Treatment Fund.

Roy Godwin, 26, of Queen’s Avenue, was the uncle of Esmee Godwin who died at the age of two after complications from chicken pox.

He will be completing the hike with his friend Matt Russell.

Mr Russell, 28, who lives near Kingston Maurward, works at the Royal Oak in High West Street with the wife of the nephew of Alfie O’Neill.

Alfie, who is aged two and lives in the Dorchester area, suffers from cerebral palsy.

Keen hiker Mr Russell said that both charities were personal to him.

He said: “The Esmee Godwin Fund is close to my heart because Esmee was one of my friend’s daughters and Roy was the uncle and it was not a good time for both friends and family when she passed away.

“The Alfie O’Neill Cerebral Palsy Treatment Fund is also close to my heart because of the link through my work.

“We’re hoping to raise £4,000 from the trek, which will be split between the two causes.”

He added: “I hope people will support us because both causes are local.

“Wetherspoons have been a real support and they’re providing all of our hiking gear.”

The pair are hoping to complete the 130-mile walk in five days. They will start at Exmouth on October 25 and travel along the coastline to Swanage.

Esmee passed away on March 16, 2007, after chicken pox developed into double pneumonia in both of her lungs and a serious blood infection.

Alfie is still battling through his illness but he is unable to sit up unaided, crawl or walk and the NHS does not fund the intensive treatment that he needs.

The Alfie O’Neill Cerebral Palsy Treatment Fund aims to fund his treatment in a privately run centre in Bedfordshire.

The Esmee Godwin Fund raises cash for lifesaving equipment at Southampton Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where she fought for her life.

Esmee Godwin’s mother Gillian said: ‘All the support we’ve had is really great, especially now with Matthew and Roy doing this hike.”

Sponsorship forms are at The Royal Oak in High West Street, A-line Taxis in Trinity Street, The George in Trinity Street, Dorset County Museum and at the Old Ship Inn in High West Street. Alternatively, contact Mr Russell on 07830 607808.

For more information on The Alfie O’Neill Cerebral Palsy Treatment Fund visit www.alfieoneill.co.uk