630 mile walk looms for Russ, Liz and Fizzie the dog.

EASTER Monday will see a plucky pair of Sidmouth fundraisers and their four-legged friend set off on a 630-mile charity challenge to boost terminally ill children.

Russ Smith, Liz Hayman and Fizzy the dog have already netted thousands of pounds for Children’s Hospice South West.

The kind-hearted threesome are all set to walk from Minehead to Poole and hope Herald readers might be tempted to join them along the way.

The mission along the entire South West Coastal Footpath will see them spend up to two months away from home and trio’s daily antics can be followed on an internet blog.

“We’ve collected �7,000 so far and hope to raise a lot more on route,” said Granddad-of-six Russ, 64.

“The charity is very close to our hearts. Learning of the work they did reduced us to tears.”

Retired chiropodist Russ, and wife Gill, were founder members of Sidmouth Friends of Children’s Hospice South West.

Russ, Liz and Fizzy will be on hand to chat about their challenge and collect further sponsorship outside Sidmouth Sailing Club tomorrow morning (Good Friday).

They’ll begin their epic walk from Minehead Steam Railway Station on Monday and hope to cover around 15 miles a day.

Ascents along the route amount to four times the height of Everest.

“We’d be delighted to see anyone who would like to walk some of the way with us,” said ex-nurse Liz, 49, a mum-of-three.

She added her two-year-old Border Collie Fizzy was looking forward to the massive walk.

Children’s Hospice South West cares for youngsters with illnesses which mean they will die before reaching adulthood. The charity provides expert care for children and their families.

Visit www.witterthewalk.wordpress.com for more information on the walk, follow the trio’s progress, or to make a donation.

Sponsorship will also be welcomed at Sidmouth’s Paragon Books in High Street.