Two South Hams walkers have gone the extra mile, and then some, to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK and Dartmouth Caring.

River Dart Rotarian Nick Hindmarsh completed a gruelling 177km charity walk from Dartmouth and back over four days, raising more than £1,000.

He was joined in the challenge by Stoke Fleming’s former postman Robert Shearwood, who also completed a 109-mile (175km) route across South Devon after the ‘Endure for a Cure’ challenge by Walkwyse Ltd was postponed.

The challenge was created by Dartmouth resident Peter Horne through his not-for-profit organisation after his wife, Lin, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Peter had planned to take part this year but was forced to postpone the challenge until 2027 after an unexpected hospital admission.

The postponed event will see four walkers complete the 109-mile route as a relay, with friends joining them for sections of the journey along the way.

Despite Peter’s absence, Nick and Robert decided to take on the challenge themselves.

The wider fundraising effort is aiming to raise £50,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and Dartmouth Caring’s Memory Café, with nearly £15,000 raised so far.

Nick was inspired to take part after meeting one of Dartmouth Caring’s clients, whose wife lives with Alzheimer’s, and seeing the difference the organisation’s Memory Café has made to local families over the past decade.

He set off from Dartmouth at 7am on Friday, August 28, walking more than 50km to Hope Cove.

After an overnight stay, Nick was back on the road at 8am on Saturday, following the coast path and travelling via Aveton Gifford before finishing in Ivybridge after another 49km.

Day three took him from Ivybridge across Dartmoor to Ryder’s Hill. He then headed north before turning south through Ashburton and Buckfastleigh, eventually reaching Buckfast Abbey and bringing his three-day total to 143km.

Ahead of schedule, Nick was due to walk 31.5km on the final day back to Dartmouth.

Instead, he completed a further 33.5km, finishing the challenge with a total distance of 177km.

Robert also completed the full challenge over four days, finishing to the sounds of ‘Chariots of Fire’ as he arrived at the Stoke Fleming Hort & Sport Show to applause from the crowds.

The Endure for a Cure challenge aims to raise awareness as well as money for dementia research and local support services.

Alzheimer’s Research UK says dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and that one in two people will be directly affected by it.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “From all of us at Alzheimer’s Research UK, thank you for your incredible commitment.

“Your fundraising challenge is helping move dementia research forward, and your determination to make a difference means everything.”

The charity said advances in research and new treatments were creating “global optimism” around the prospect of a cure.

It added: “With the right support and action, it’s a matter of when, not if, life-changing treatments arrive.”

Nick and Robert’s fundraising remains open, with every donation helping support Alzheimer’s Research UK’s work.

Donations can be made through Nick’s JustGiving fundraiser at bit.ly/4djIUIN or Robert’s at bit.ly/4undjOu