TWO hardy folk have been traipsing through Teignbridge to raise funds for the firefighters’ charity and the Roy Castle Lung Foundation.

Diane Hartnell and Malcolm Street from Sidmouth hit the trail between Starcross and Ashburton on Wednesday before disappearing into the wilderness which is Dartmoor.

Yesterday they were setting off for Tavistock via Princetown.

And today they were making tracks to Moretonhampstead before completing the epic trek tomorrow by heading for Lympstone.

Diane’s brother served as a fireman in the RAF but is now confined to a wheelchair following a motorbike accident.

Her father’s best friend Joe and his son Tony served in the fire service for many years before Joe died last year.

Diane said: ‘I was very close to Uncle Joe and miss him greatly. He loved what he did for the service, although he never talked about the traumatic events he encountered.

‘We understand how brave these firefighters are and how much they give up to help others and we would like to repay them by doing our walk.’

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is also being supported as Diane’s father Frank Hodgkins died from lung cancer in 2010.

Area manager Steve Widnell, of Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: ‘We are very grateful to Diane and Malcolm for choosing to raise money for the Fire Fighters’ Charity which helps many fire service staff every year.

‘They have given themselves a tough challenge but I know they have trained hard and I’m sure they will achieve their goals. We wish them the best of luck.’