TWO men are celebrating their 60th birthdays by doing a charity walk for our troops.

Keith Hilton and David Oldham are setting off on an 84-mile trek along Hadrian’s Wall in aid of Help for Heroes.

It’s a cause close to Keith’s heart after a close family friend lost his life in combat.

And the duo have been overwhelmed by the support they have received so far.

Keith, from Holmbridge, a former assistant head teacher at Almondbury High School, and David, a plumber, will start the walk on Bank Holiday Monday and will walk around 20 miles a day over the five days.

Keith, who turns 60 later this year, said: “David and I have known each other for 35 years and go way back, play football and cricket together and the like.

“When I said I wanted to do this David was quick to join me and we both wanted to do it for Help for Heroes.

“I think when you see the troops coming back, see those wounded and having been touched by the situation close to our family, it was something I felt I had to do.

“Any support we can offer will be worth our walking.”

The duo will start their trek at Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria and walk the 84 miles to Wallsend in Tyneside.

Help for Heroes has just one aim – to help the wounded Servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq and other combat.

The duo have been delighted with the support their have received so far – Aimbrys Cafe at Almondbury has donated £500 to their cause, Michael Carr of recruitment agency Pertemps donated a Manchester United shirt which raised £400, the Holmfirth Building Society, Atlas Heating, Almondbury High School, Holmfirth High School, where Mr Hilton’s wife works, and his current employers in Sheffield have also backed them, among many more people and businesses.

For Keith, born in Cumbria, a trip along Hadrian’s Wall is a first. He added: “Surprisingly, I’ve never done it before. We’re both nearing 60 now so it will be a challenge for us. We’ve been practising at weekends and we’re really looking forward to it – it’s exciting but will be a challenge. I’m from Cumbria originally so know some of the areas. We’re staying in B&Bs and hope we can collect along the way too but we are very grateful for the support we’ve received so far.”

Visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk to sponsor Keith and David.