A HISTORIAN based in the Chalke Valley is taking part in a 100km trail walk later this month to raise money for The Gurkha Welfare Trust. 

Guy Walters and wife Annabel Venning live near Broad Chalke and are often seen at the Chalke Valley History Festival. 

Annabel was also meant to be part of the team of four completing the walk, but is no longer able to due to a broken toe. 

Annabel comes from a long line of Gurkhas, and Guy says she gave him "no choice" but to complete the challenge. 

He said: "There are two reasons, one serious, one not so serious. 

"The serious reason is that the Gurkhas have done so much for us, and continue to do so, and the least I can do to pay them back is go on a little walk".

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Salisbury Journal: Guy and his three dogs, Otter and Treacle and VossGuy and his three dogs, Otter and Treacle and Voss (Image: Guy Walters)

The "little walk" is a 100km non-stop trek across the South Downs in under 30 hours in order to raise vital funds for the Salisbury-based military charity. 

It starts on Friday, September 22 at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park south of Petersfield, Hampshire, and finishes at Brighton Racecourse early on the Sunday morning (September 24).

There are nine checkpoints along the route where their support crew will meet them to provide encouragement, fresh socks, and plenty of food to fuel them through the next 10km.

It started out as a military training exercise in Hong Kong in 1981, organised by the Queen’s Gurkha Signals. Taking place along the famous Maclehose Trail, the exercise sought to test the endurance and teamwork of soldiers of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals over a long and arduous course.

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A few years later in 1986, Trailwalker was opened to civilian participation too.

When the Queen’s Gurkha Signals moved from Hong Kong to the UK, Trailwalker came too.

Today, the 100km event takes place with hundreds of civilian teams taking part every year.

The less serious reason for Guy's participation in the trek is because, in his words, Annabel "gave him no choice". 

Guy, an avid walker and runner, is feeling admittedly "hubristic" about the trek. 

"Living in the Chalke Valley, we have to walk and run up hills all the time to get anywhere, so I am feeling match-fit and cocky about it and raring to go."

He has got off to a "flying start" with his fundraising, with £1,130 already donated to his online page, having only set a £300 goal. 

For more information on the trek, or to donate to Guy's fundraiser, click here.