Two friends will be walking the length of a World Heritage Site coast-to-coast route in support of a cause close to their hearts.

Matt Barber, from Bolton, and Kevin Crawshaw, from Worsley, will be taking on the 84-mile trek of Roman defensive structure Hadrian’s Wall in aid of Bury Involvement Group (BIG), which provides free support to adults struggling with their mental health.

They will be making the journey north on July 19 and starting the challenge the following day, with the aim of completing the walk, which runs from Wallsend in North Tyneside to Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria, in six days.

Matt lost his sister to suicide and Kevin has suffered with his mental health so the great work the charity does resonates with the friend.

To donate to their JustGiving crowdfunding page in connection with their challenge, click here.

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Kevin, 55, said: “We just wanted to do a challenge and I was going to do it anyway and just thought I might as well do it for something positive.

“Matt decided he would do it with me.

"We just think it’s a good thing to do for a worthwhile charity that helps hundreds of people.”

Kevin said he has dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts from an early age after he tragically lost his closest friend in a road traffic accident when he was 21.

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He said: “I've battled health issues relating to my eyesight and have had to have numerous operations on my eyes to correct what's been going on.

"In September last year I ended up with a retinal detachment which caused me to go blind for a few weeks.

“Not being able to see left me in a very dark place. I was worried I'd never regain my sight and be able to see my wife or daughter again.

“Thankfully my sight has come back but I still live with the fear that I will lose it again. Before I used to be a keen cyclist, which had been a passion of mine since I was a kid.

“Because of the risk to my eyesight I am no longer able to cycle like I used to do so I've gravitated towards walking to get me out the house and keep me fit.”

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Kevin used to work for the Nationwide Cycling Academy in Radcliffe and Prestwich and has taken part in charity events before.

In one event, he helped a nine-year-old girl cycle from Manchester to Blackpool to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support after her uncle died from cancer.

He said: “Me and Matt are keen to get out there, challenge ourselves, and raise as much money as we can for a great cause.

“All of the money we raise will go towards supporting BIG's volunteer team helping them to keep providing vital mental health support in Bury for free for anyone who is struggling.”