15795/10PENSIONER Alison Bailey is on a mission to help her friend and others suffering from Multiple Sclerosis by walking 50 miles around Wiltshire in three days.

The sprightly 61-year-old from Minety will join around 300 people who are expected to walk around a total of 15,000 miles around the county between August 26 and 28 as part of the Bigfoot Challenge.

Mrs Bailey said watching her friend battle with the chronic disease of the nervous system had inspired her to take action.

"My friend is a young mum who has had Multiple Sclerosis for some years. She manages brilliantly but has her ups and downs. If I can raise money to help people like her then the walk will be worth it. I completed the same walk last year, raising over £1,000 in sponsorship. That was a fantastic amount.

"I am not somebody who can go to people asking for money. I just rely on people's kind donations. But if you are going to do something, it is nice to benefit someone you know rather than just a cause."

The trek begins with a 15-mile walk on the first day, a 20-mile marathon walk on the second day and a nine-mile victory walk on day three.

Starting from Pewsey, it will take Mrs Bailey through Marlborough where she will camp each night, and finish in Avebury.

Walking is Mrs Bailey's passion, and she has been clocking up 10 to 15 miles a day three times a week in preparation for the challenge.

She said: " I love walking. It allows me to see the countryside and I feel good when I come back. I do not do it to keep fit and I certainly cannot run. My husband and I used to do a lot of walking , and now I am retired I have more time. Last year my daughter Sara did the 50-mile walk with me, and in the past I have walked 26 miles across London, in what is known as the moon walk. This involved walking through the city at night in a decorated bra to raise money for breast cancer."

Unlike some serious walkers, she said she shuns isotonic sports drinks and energy bars to refuel her body during walks, preferring instead to drink water and munch nuts.

She added: 'Because I walk so much I usually put on two pairs of socks and lots of Vaseline, but perhaps because I am thick-skinned I do not get blisters. It is all to do with preparation and so I usually walk between ten and 15 miles a week. When I do the Bigfoot Challenge people come from all over the country and you make a lot of friends. After last year's 50-mile stretch, all I wanted was a nice glass of cold water and to use proper loos."

David Brown, chairman of Minety Parish Council said: "We see her a lot walking around the village.

"I think this 50-mile walk she is doing for charity is wonderful. More power to her. It is a selfless and generous thing to do. Our community is tightly knit and we like to help each other out.'

Gabby Iafrete, events officer for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, said it costs around £40,000 for a nurse. The money will also help fund a MRI scanner which is crucial in diagnosing the disease, and a tissue bank appeal to help scientists research the condition.

To sponsor Mrs Bailey call (01666) 860292 and for information log on to www.mssociety.org.uk