MARTIN and Diana Heal from Mary Tavy recently set themselves a unique charity challenge to celebrate their joint 50th birthdays — to walk 250,000 steps in five days in the Scottish Borders.

They presented a donation of £1,008 they raised through their fundraising to CHICKS Moorland Retreat in Brentor recently.

Martin said: 'At 50, the challenge is not so much walking a good distance in one day but, with dodgy hips and knees, in walking a good distance day after day.'

Martin and Diana successfully completed the challenge with the grand total of 259,232 steps taken which amounts to 68 miles.

The couple said they were pleased to support CHICKS in the wonderful work that they do and expressed thanks to everyone who sponsored them to raise funds for the charity.

Events fundraiser Jo Smith Scott said: 'We are delighted that Martin and Diana have taken on a challenge for CHICKS and the donations we have received will really help us in our aim of providing 1,200 disadvantaged children with a vital break from their difficult circumstances this year.'

If anyone would like to know more about CHICKS and how to support its work visit the website: http://www.chicks.org.uk">www.chicks.org.uk