A GROUP of pals are trekking more than 80 miles along the Essex Way to help keep the air ambulance flying.

Six charity fundraisers from Thorpe Social Club hope to complete the gruelling non-stop walk in just 27 hours.

They’ve spent the last four months training for the trek, which starts in Epping and finishes in Harwich.

The men, who are all aged over 50, will have to walk through the night.

One of those taking part, Stuart Wallace, said: “We started walking 20 miles, then increased it slowly to 30, 40 and then 50 miles.

“Training has been tougher than expected. It’s not just blisters and tiredness, but also the mental effort when you walk together for 16-plus hours – you run out of things to talk about.”

The friends, who all live in Thorpe, are no strangers to adventure.

Previous escapades include canoeing in France, rock climbing in Wales and, last year, they walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks in under ten hours.

They are confident of completing the 81-mile Essex Way.

Stuart, of Beldams Close, added: “We have practised walking in the dark, which is all right when you are on paths with street lighting, but it’s different across fields and through woods. It’s harder that you can imagine.”

The route has been planned by Manningtree teacher Mark Doyle.

The team set off on June 6 and expect to reach Harwich at 11am the next day.

Money raised will go to the Essex Air Ambulance.