A group of mainly over-60s tackling a 35-mile hike for charity have turned out to be not so foolish after all.

The April Old Fools Day hike, which starts on April 1, will raise money for Cleckheaton Cricket Club and the Liver Unit at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, where one of the fundraisers underwent a liver transplant.

The majority of those taking part are aged over 60, with the club’s groundsman, Keith Johnstone, the most senior at 70.

Since the group announced its plans in the T&A in January, support has been building and there are now nine walkers taking part.

They will trek from Goathland to Whitby, where they will stay overnight after climbing the seaside town’s 199 steps, before taking in the Cleveland Way, a national trial skirting the North York Moors National Park, and ending their journey in Cloughton.

Fundraising support has also been strong, with £2,000 already pledged and Mr Mitchell said the group had now increased its target.

Visit cleckheatoncricket club.org.uk to sponsor the group.