BURLEY-in-Wharfedale's Jack Wilson is determined to boost the fight against leukaemia by tackling a coast to coast challenge.

Mr Wilson, 61, of Forster Close, is preparing to trek 190 miles from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay on the opposite coast. Along with fellow walker John Scott, 64, of Guiseley, Mr Wilson is hoping to complete the fundraising challenge in 12 days.

The pair are putting themselves through gruelling sessions in the gym to make sure they are ready for the 'off' on June 15.

The grateful recipients of sponsorship money collected will be the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust - both are members of The Wharfedale Friends of the Trust.

Mr Wilson said: "Many people perceive leukaemia to be a children's illness. Not so, as I found out when my younger brother contracted the disease at the age of 50. Acute

lymphoblastic leukaemia takes few prisoners and after only two months of extreme treatment the disease won.

"Not having been given a chance to help my brother's fight, I needed a way to come to terms with his sudden demise. By joining a local group of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust I found I could channel my energies into raising awareness of the cause and help in the fundraising that charities find essential," he said.

Now retired, Mr Wilson, a former operations manager at the British Steel Service Centre, Leeds, believes the coast to coast walk is an ideal way of combining personal ambition with fundraising.

"With a keen interest in walking and having read Wainwright's Coast to Coast the die was cast," he said.

Preparation is important and Mr Wilson has turned to Yeadon-based Dragons Health Club for help.

"Fortunately Dragons came up trumps with three months complimentary membership and a customised training regime. The word 'regime' has not been used lightly. I've

suddenly found muscles that were last used when I did my National Service - nice to know they are still there," he added.

l Anyone wanting to support Mr Wilson's coast to coast walk can contact him on 01943 862518.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.