ONE MAN and his dog will be going more than an extra mile for a Petersfield charity in a two-day endurance test along the South Downs.

Mike Cantan runs Animal Crackers pet food store off the High Street in Petersfield and with his dog Biggles has signed up for the challenging “Since 1664 Yomp” charity walk.

The former Royal Marines recruit will be raising money for The Rosemary Foundation hospice at home charity.

Yomp is marines slang for a fast march carrying a load, and the ‘1664’ was founded by Robin Hollington of Stroud after his son Richard, a Royal Marine, was killed in Afghanistan.

It’s an exhausting non-stop 100-mile hike to Beachy Head from Winchester starting at about 5am on Saturday, May 26.

Mike (29) said: “This is a biggy. We’ll be training every week, getting some early nights, and loading up on carbohydrates beforehand.”

He was inspired to attempt the challenge for very personal reasons; his father Charles was cared for by Rosemary Foundation nurses, who provide round-the-clock care for patients at the end stage of life-limiting conditions.

Charles, a decorated Fleet Air Arm pilot and Falklands War veteran, went on to be a senior Captain with Virgin Atlantic, and died after a brief illness in 2016.

Mike from South Harting said: “It’s a hard job and the nurses are amazing people.”

Rosemary Foundation operating manager Jeremy Mitchell said: “We get no statutory funding, so we rely entirely on donations, and we’re very grateful when people like Mike and his team mates give us such fantastic support.”

The marines are close to Mike’s heart as he went through basic training with them in 2008, but had to withdraw due to health issues within his family.

And five friends who were, or still are, marines, will be attempting the yomp with him.

One, Sam Wilks, was shot twice in Afghanistan but recovered and is now a police officer.

Mike said: “There will be some competition between us, but we’re all doing it for the right reason. And if you’ve got enough reason to do it, you will do it.”

So far, Mike has raised £1,300 in sponsorship, but is aiming for a much higher total, and donations can be made online by searching for Cantan 1664 on the Just Giving website at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mikeycantan.

Cash and cheques can also be taken into The Rosemary Foundation offices in Lavant Street.

Mike’s training walks with Biggles can be followed on Instagram at mikeyboy021988. Biggles, who will be walking for Canine Partners, will be the first dog to attempt the yomp.