Comedian Bill Bailey is on the verge of completing a 100 mile charity walk along Britain's oldest road, in memory of his mother.

The comic , 53, who lives in Hammersmith , has spent the last four days walking The Ridgeway in order to fundraise for Stand Up to Cancer after his mother, Madryn, died of bowl cancer in 2005.

Joined by fellow comedians, Jo Brand, Lee Mack, Kevin Eldon and Martin Trenaman, who is also a cancer survivor, along the way, Bill is completing a walk from the Dunstable Downs to Aylesbury's Stone Circle.

The comic, who has so far raised £6,810 on the Stand Up To Cancer fundraising page , said: “Mum was a great character, a huge personality and a real life force.

"She sang and played piano. When cancer came calling it was devastating for the whole family.

"I miss her all the time.”

“The real challenge is getting up every day and walking another 15 miles." he added.

"Your feet are aching, Your legs are sore. After two or three days of that, you really know about it, it’s a hard slog.

"But it’s for Stand Up To Cancer, so what’s a bit of an ache and another day of miles in the grand scheme of things?"

Bill took on a previous walking challenge on his 50th birthday, raising £12,000 for Cancer Research UK.

“It occurred to me that if I started a bit earlier and got a bit more organised, we could make a huge impact," he said.

“I immediately thought of Stand Up To Cancer because it has a really fantastic focus on the clinical trials, pushing forward the results of research and breakthroughs, getting them from the lab to patients as fast as possible.

"We can get the message out there and raise a load of money that will help save lives.

“There will definitely be blisters and a few niggly joints.

“All the walking gear is a given, but beyond anything else, you need tea and a sense of purpose. Plus a good feed in the evening, that’s very important.

"A proper pub meal, something good and hearty. And then you sleep like you've never slept before."

He'll be walking part of the route with surgeon Tim Underwood, professor of gastrointestinal surgery at the University of Southampton.

He said The Ridgeway is a "hidden gem."

“I love the route," he said. "It’s just stunning, a beautiful bit of old England which is surprisingly remote."

Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesman, said: “We’re very grateful to Bill and his mates for their support and we’re urging everyone to follow in their footsteps.

“But we’re asking them to stand up to cancer in their own way, that could be by getting creative in the kitchen, getting sponsored to stand out in orange at work or school or, for those who want to make a real statement doing a sponsored wax or head shave to raise as much money as possible.

“We’re on the brink of a revolution in cancer research, thanks to new treatments, screening and earlier diagnosis, more people are surviving the disease than ever before.

"But we can’t afford to stand still.

"It’s time to rebel against cancer, raise money and save lives.

"Every pound raised for Stand Up to Cancer will help to support this progress and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”

Bill is due to end his fundraiser on Saturday July 29.

To support Bill’s walk, text BILL5 to donate £5* to 70404, BILL10 to donate £10* to 70404, or donate online here .

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