DOZENS of intrepid walkers are embarking on a 20-mile trek around Bolton in aid of the Gary Parkinson Trust.

The plan is to take on a 20-mile walk today, setting off from Westhoughton Cricket Club, winding through Westhoughton, Chew Moor, Lostock and Horwich, before heading up to Rivington Pike and back again to raise much-needed funds for the charity.

The trust was established in the former Wanderers full-back's name and all money raised helps to fund Parkinson's therapy and rehabilitation, following his diagnosis with pseudocoma, also known as locked-in syndrome.

The trust's Luke Parkinson, Gary's son, told The Bolton News: "We have already had over 30 fundraisers sign up to do the walk, with a £10 entry fee going directly to the Gary Parkinson Trust.

"The route will bring us off the side of the pike and down to Curleys where my dad will be waiting to show his support to the walkers and also give us all a little pit stop for a brew.

"We'll then walk back to Westhoughton Cricket Club for refreshments and a bit of a thank you to everybody, we are expecting it to take around six hours.

“The idea for the walk came about after our hugely successful Gary Parkinson Trophy match at CMB FC in Lostock last summer, which helped to raise over £3,000 for my dad’s trust.

"It was great to really feel the sense of community around us as a family that day, and we really wanted to keep that going with something that is so popular to people in and around Bolton."

More information on the trust – and details of how to donate – is available by visiting garyparky.co.uk or their Facebook and Twitter pages.