Three Petersfield Town supporters have begun an 18-mile trek to Portsmouth to help a player unable to walk or work.

John Wade-Palmer, Gary Cable and Fred Bottins are taking part in the annual Rams Ramble from Love Lane to the Eastern Road home of Baffins Milton Rovers.

They left PTFC at 7.30am and are expected to arrive at the Kendall Stadium in time for town’s 3pm kick-off in the Wessex League Premier Division encounter.

The Ramble has become a firm fixture on the Petersfield Town calendar as it involves fans making the walk to Baffins in support of an injured player or charity.

Previous beneficiaries have included a BMR player who picked up a severe injury in a match against Petersfield and the mayor’s charities, with then-councillor and town council top dog JC Crissey taking part.

Proceeds from the walk will help PTFC player Owen Kimber, who will be out of action for nine months and unable to work for three because of an injury picked up at Horndean.

The £500 target has already been exceeded but more donations are welcome with previous rambles being enthusiastically backed by fans and well-wishers.

John said: “This is the fourth one and we do it for whoever needs help at the time.

“We raised around £10,000 for the manager’s dad, Darren Hoare, last year, as he lost his right arm and needed eight operations.

“There was a lot of love for doing that one. Today’s ramble is a bit more modest but whatever we get will help.”

The Ramblers are expected to reach Rowlands Castle at 11am with a full English in the Bumblebee Café likely to be served to all three.

If you would like to donate to the ‘Help Owen Kimber get back on his feet’ appeal visit https://shorturl.at/wK6qm