A blind ex-soldier is helping a poverty-stricken Indian family by walking from Colchester to Mersea.

Best foot forward - Doug Rogers with his companion, Simon Chaplin, who will be walking from Colchester to Mersea, and Amil Patel, of MK News, who is sponsoring him Picture: STEVE ARGENT

And passers-by along his route have been generously donating cash to his fund.

Doug Rogers, 65, who lives in Turner Road, Colchester, is hoping to complete the sponsored trek and raise hundreds of pounds for a mother and her children who live in southern India.

He said: "I'm a Knight of St Columba. It's a Catholic organisation for men. We help the community."

For the last two years, the members have been collecting money for the family and Mr Rogers decided to do a sponsored walk for the cause.

He said: "At first, I said I was going to walk ten miles, then I said I'd walk from the Meannee barracks to Mersea."

Donations can be sent to Doug Rogers, 48 Turner Road, Colchester, Essex CO4 5LA

Published Tuesday November 18, 2003

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