A PETERSFIELD businessman is appealing for volunteers to ‘yomp’ 100 miles across the South Downs in memory of his wife.

Clive Waller is searching for eight people to take up his offer of free entry into the gruelling ‘Since 1664 Yomp’ along the South Downs to raise money for The Rosemary Foundation, which offers hospice at home care for patients in the latter stages of a life threatening condition.

His support for the charity is in memory of his wife, Monica, who passed away this year.

He said: “Monica was such a brilliant and enthusiastic partner in life and co-director in business.

“I will always appreciate the dedication and care offered by The Rosemary Foundation when she needed it, often in the middle of the night. Providing Yomp places will multiply the effect of my support.”

The challenging non-stop yomp along the downs is the brainchild of a close friend of the Wallers, Robin Hollington, of Stroud.

He launched the charity, Number 300 Ltd, after son Richard became the 300th Serviceman to die during the Afghanistan conflict.

In recent years Monica and Clive have raised many tens of thousands of pounds for the charity at an annual awards evening in London.

Paying tribute to their efforts, Robin said: “Monica was a lovely person who, with Clive, was a long-term supporter of our fundraising efforts in memory of Richard.

“So there was not a moment’s hesitation in doing something in her memory for The Rosemary Foundation when Clive asked.

“Potential Yompers need to be aware that this extreme challenge is the equivalent of climbing almost halfway up Mount Everest while walking 100 miles over 36 hours.

“Every serving or former Royal Marine who has done this agrees it is as tough as any of the commando tests.

“I urge any volunteer to give this serious thought, check the website and if still serious to get in touch with The Rosemary Foundation.”

Rosemary Foundation spokesman Jeremy Mitchell said: “It is a very kind and clever donation from Clive and enables us to raise eight times his original donation.

“All we need now is volunteers to undertake such an extreme challenge for us.”

The yomp is planned to cover 166.4km in 36 hours and organisers say the aim is for those taking part to complete three miles an hour.

For details visit the websites www.since1664.com or www.rosemary-foundation.org.uk