FUNDRAISING is a walk in the park for two best friends due to complete a 36-hour trek from Longridge to Ambleside at 4pm today (Thursday).

Warwick Thompson, 23, and Matthew Gallagher, 26, set off from their homes at 4am on yesterday with only a rucksack, snacks, water and each other for company.

And Warwick predicted that they will complete the nature trail by 4pm today.

The duo both agree, however, that the £500 they raise should go to the Derian House hospice, a charity dear to Matthew's heart after one of his friends needed their help recently.

The 76-mile trek is almost three times longer than the London Marathon, which they both entered this year. But at the end of the trek they won't have time for much needed recuperation.

"I get two days off work a week," said Warwick, a deputy manager of a Wine Rack store, "so after I've done the walk I'll be working the day after and all weekend.

"I'll need time to recover and luckily I've an understanding boss."

He said: "This is the first time we've done fundraising for Derian House but we're planning on doing other activities.

"We've a few wacky ideas -- we think we might do a marathon of kayaking.

"We're raising money for Derian House so it isn't as difficult."