A WOMAN is walking from London to Paris for charity in memory of her brother who died from leukaemia.

Joanne Brook-Smith, 36, will walk the 233-mile journey over eight days from Saturday, October 1, in aid of national blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.

She will complete the challenge in memory of her brother Oliver Goodyear, 38, of Baildon, who lost his brave three-year battle with leukaemia in July last year. He worked as an English teacher at Tong High School.

Mrs Brook-Smith, who works as a graphic designer, will complete the unguided walk across the two countries alongside her friend Sam Johnson, of Leeds.

They will leave from Trafalgar Square, central London, on October 1, and their daily walks will see them eventually reach Newhaven, East Sussex, where they will cross the English Channel via ferry, docking in Dieppe.

The pair will then make their way through the countryside of Northern France, before reaching the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on October 8.

She is looking to raise £2,500 for Anthony Nolan, with Mr Johnson hoping to raise the same amount in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Mrs Brook-Smith, of Town Lane, Idle, will also take part in next year’s London Marathon in aid of Anthony Nolan, who have previously nominated her for a supporter award in recognition of her fundraising work.

She said: “It will be quite emotional doing the walk and when we reach Paris, I will be thinking about Oliver. I just want to give something back to the same people who are facing the horrendous journey of leukaemia.

“This journey is going to be physically and mentally challenging for us both, pushing ourselves to walk through eight marathons over eight days, in unfamiliar territory and through unpredictable conditions.

“When I think about the challenge, it is quite scary.

“I would like to use this challenge as a platform to raise some vital funds for those that are still facing a long road ahead.”

The pair’s training has included ten-mile walks, including treks to Skipton and Haworth and 30-mile walks at weekends.

To make a donation, go to justgiving.com/teams/londontopariswalk or justgiving.com/fundraising/joanne-brook-smith3.