A TEAM of walkers who took on the ups and downs of the Dorset coastline have raised a massive £2,500 for charity.

Simon Christophers, from Dorchester , was inspired by his father David’s memory to take on the 90-mile trek in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

He was joined by friends Andy Parsons, Chris Tarrant and Steve Roberts for the four-day challenge, which they dubbed The Great Dorset Coastal Walk.

Simon’s brother Ashley also joined the walkers for the first day as they set off from Highcliffe Beach and finished at Worth Matravers.

On the second day the team of four trekked around 20 miles to Osmington before marching around 25 miles the next day on to the Fleet.

The blisters were burning and injuries were emerging as they completed the last day of walking, facing wet weather as well as they made it to Lyme Regis at about 8pm.

They were met by around 20 friends and family and treated to a well-deserved bottle of champagne as they finally had a chance to put their feet up.

Simon, Andy, Steve and Chris said they wanted to thank all the friends and family members who had supported them along the way as well as everyone who sponsored them.

Simon was inspired to do the walk after his father David died of cancer earlier this year.

His dad was a keen walker who had climbed every mountain in the UK so Simon wanted to do a walking challenge to help those who were going through what his family had experienced.

He said before the walk: “Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer, be it themselves, a friend or a relative.

“My family has recently been affected by cancer, so I began to think about what I could to do raise money for Macmillan, a brilliant charity that supports people with cancer as well as their families.”.

The fundraising total from the four walkers currently sits at £2,500 and money is still coming in.

To make a donation visit either of these wesites www.justgiving,com/Andy-Parsons or www .justgiving.

com/ simon christophers/new/2.