SCOTTISH Borders Council Leader David Parker is embarking on a marathon walk to raise money for local charity - and he has invited everyone to join him.

He will be joined by Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP Michael Moore on the Great Tweed Trek - a 97 mile walk from the source of the Tweed, at Tweedsmuir, to where the River meets the sea at Berwick.

The walk will raise funds for the Radio Borders Cash for Kids appeal and for the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team.

In 2009, David and Michael walked the Four Abbeys Way to raise funds to support the Special Care Baby Unit of Borders General Hospital. That walk raised over £12,000 and covered a distance of 70 miles completed over five days.

This year’s challenge is 27 miles longer and it is hoped that they can once again raise a good amount of funding to support their chosen charities.

Looking ahead to the walk, Councillor Parker said: “It is great to be undertaking another walk and I am very much looking forward to the preparation and the walk itself.

“We have developed a ‘Just Giving’ page for donations and there will be opportunities to donate at different communities throughout the walk.” The schedule of the walk, which gets underway on Monday, August 25, is as follows: Day 1 - Tweedsmuir to Bellspool, Distance 16.5 miles; Day 2 - Bellspool to Innerleithen, Distance 13.8 miles; Day 3 - Innerleithen to Melrose, Distance 16.7 miles; Day 4 - Melrose to Kelso, Distance 17.9 miles; Day 5 - Kelso to Norham, Distance 15.7 miles; Day 6 - Norham to Berwick, Distance 9.9 miles.

The Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team do a tremendous job supporting the emergency services and keeping people safe when they are out walking or in the countryside. At present the Team are looking to find a site on which to build a new base in the central Borders.

Dave Cawthorn, of Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team, said: “The team provided help and support to Michael and David when they did their first walk in 2009 and the team have planned the route of the Great Tweed Trek this time round. We are very much looking forward to playing an active part in the walk and are delighted that some of the proceeds will go to help support the vital work of the team in the Borders.” The Great Tweed Trek is open to anyone who would like to join Michael and David over the six days, or even for any part of the six days.

If you are interested in taking part in the walk, or supporting the event, or would just like further information, visit ‘Great Tweed Trek’ on Facebook.

Alternatively, donate at http://greattweedtrek.everydayhero.com/uk/great-tweed-trek