
After six months of intensive training, 38-year-old Lancaster builder Duane Alexander is now eagerly anticipating the successful completion of ‘Alexander’s March’.
Covering 80 miles, over the four days of August Bank Holiday Weekend (Friday 27th to Monday 30th 2010), the March will see Duane walking the entire length of the national Hadrian’s Wall Trail, from west to east, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

His somewhat limited menu will include a wholemeal flour and water gruel, supplemented with anything he can forage along the way; a lentil, flour and bacon broth and simple wheat biscuits – all washed down with water.

The first steps of Alexander’s March will be taken at 9.00am on Friday 27th August, as the team leave Bowness-on-Solway, following the shore of the Solway Firth and bank of the River Eden, passing to the north of Carlisle and finishing in the vicinity of the village of Crosby-on-Eden.
Day two (Saturday) takes the team into the spectacular open countryside of the Northumberland National Park, passing by Birdoswald Fort and Museum and finishing for the night near the impressive remains of Housesteads Fort. On day three (Sunday), Duane continues into the most strenuous part of the journey. After passing by numerous Roman sites of interest, including the Temple of Mithras and Chesters Fort, the team visit Vallum Farm cafe and shop, staying overnight nearby.
The March, which is supported by English Heritage, the National Trust, Northumbria and Cumbria Constabularies and Lancaster's Drawing Room (among others), continues on Bank Holiday Monday, into Newcastle, following the north bank of the Tyne for much of the way and hopefully, arriving at journey’s end, Wallsend Roman Fort, by tea time.

• Anyone who would like to support Duane and make a donation to Cancer Research, will find information on the various ways of giving at www.alexandersmarch.co.uk or tel. 0787 554 1291.