Botham walk reaches Windsor park

Sir Ian Botham's 12th charity walk will take in nine towns in nine days

The second leg of cricketing hero Sir Ian Botham's latest fundraising walk across the UK has reached Windsor Great Park in Berkshire.

Beefy's Great British Walk is covering 131 miles (211 km) through nine towns in nine days - and for the first time people will be able to join him.

Sir Ian will walk for 10 miles (16km) through Windsor Great Park on Saturday.

His 12th walk against childhood leukaemia started on Friday in Somerset - where his cricketing career began.

The former England cricketer will complete on average 15 miles (24km) a day in aid of Leukaemia Research.

This is the first time a limited number of people can walk with the man known as "Beefy" in exchange for sponsorship.

Every penny counts Sir Ian Botham

Sir Ian said he believed he would get through two pairs of trainers during the nine-day trek as it was only a "short walk".

He said: "I know that, with the people of Windsor supporting me, the walk will be a great success.

"Every penny counts and we can beat childhood leukaemia if we work together to raise as much money as possible. I'm looking forward to coming to Windsor and meeting those who have worked hard in their fundraising."

He added: "I want to keep the walks going, they're a challenge and I'm a competitive person - and this keeps me competitive"

The next leg will reach Tunbridge Wells in Kent on Sunday, and the route takes in Bury St Edmunds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Llandudno, Harrogate and Milngavie, near Glasgow, before finishing on 18 October in Durham - where he ended his professional cricket career.

Sir Ian, president of Leukaemia Research, first met youngsters with leukaemia in Taunton, Somerset, 25 years ago, inspiring him to start his fundraising walks.