A FATHER and son duo have this week embarked on a charity challenge to raise money to help underprivileged, disadvantaged and disabled children across Yorkshire.

Simon and Matt Thomas, of Rupert Road, Ilkley, set off together on Monday to walk all 124 miles of the Liverpool to Leeds Canal in aid of the Skipton-based charity The Principle Trust Children’s Charity.

Simon, who owns Greenholme Carpets and who is part of the Business Network Ilkley group, started walking with his son Matt, who also works in the business, as a way of improving their own physical and mental health and well-being.

They enjoy walking so decided to push themselves by taking on this charity challenge.

They originally set themselves a fundraising target of £1,000 which they have already smashed. They are now on their way to raising more than £2,000.

They started out on Monday, August 19 at 8am in Liverpool and aim to finish on Saturday, August 24 at 4pm in Leeds.

The Principle Trust Children’s Charity support underprivileged, disadvantaged and disabled children from across Yorkshire by providing free respite breaks and holidays to those deserving children, who otherwise may not have had the opportunity.

The Principle Trust work with Bradford Council and charities such as LS29 and Martin’s House Hospice, who refer children they feel will benefit from a break away.

Each holiday costs The Principle Trust around £300, so with the amount of money Simon and Matt have already raised they will be sending five children and their families or carers to one of the charity’s holiday homes in either Haven Marton Mere near Blackpool or Ribblesdale Park, Gisburn.

Louise Rhodes from The Principle Trust said: “Without supporters such as Simon and Matt we could not continue to do what we do.

“We thank them both for taking on this challenge and keep our fingers crossed for good weather for them.”

Simon and Matt will hopefully finish their walk on Saturday in Leeds.

If you’d like to sponsor Simon and Matt you can do so online: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/MattandSimons