SEVEN members of Launceston Walking Group took on the challenge of walking 24 miles from Okehampton Castle to Launceston Castle, along the Two Castles Trail, raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

The group expressed thanks for generous donations from individuals and Tinhay Building Supplies and Countryside Furnishers. They have so far raised more than £1,100, and still counting.

On Saturday, August 8, they started from Okehampton Castle at 7.40am, heading through the woods up onto and over the golf course, stopping to retrieve a lost ball (for a small donation) and over the A30, through more woods, before heading up to Sourton Moor.

After a quick break they headed further up Sourton Tor, breaking off just before the summit to head towards the church and Highwayman Inn then Bridestowe, where they were met by their support team, Jon and Fred, with supplies and fresh socks.

They then went for the Lewdown stretch, alongside Dartmoor, with more spectacular scenery, through fields and up onto Galford Down. They had another break and checked their blisters on reaching the halfway point.

Onwards to Lewtrenchard Manor, where they had kindly been offered a stop for refreshments.

From there, it was onto Lewdown, stopping briefly, before heading onto Lifton, through fields, over more stiles, through Stowford and onto Dingles. Here they were given welcome top up supplies of cold water bottles and expressed their thanks to Dingles.

After a quick stretch, they set off towards Lifton. The trail goes around towards Heale and over farmland back towards Polson Bridge. the home stretch from St Leonards, along Ridgegrove Lane, and up the final killer, Ridgegrove Hill.

Feeling very emotional, they linked arms up Angel Hill to be greeted by friends and family, before walking through town and into the castle grounds at 8.15pm.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.