THE SIGHT of Ken Smith trotting along Lancashire towpaths next month may well raise a few eyebrows - but it's all in a good cause.

Ken, 64, will be doing a sponsored walk along the Leeds-Liverpool canal to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust. His ukelele will be going, too!

The cash will go to Eckersley House in Leeds which provides accommodation and support for the families of seriously ill children being treated at nearby St. James Hospital.

Ken, from Cookridge, Leeds, will walk 14 miles from Chorley to Blackburn on the May 1 and march on to reach Colne on May 22. So far sponsors have pledged £5000.

In total he will walk 127 miles and stop at pubs along the way to play his ukelele. Laughing, he said:"My wife thinks I'm crackers. But I've worked for 50 years and wanted to do something worthwhile with my retirement."

Christine Chapman, House Manager of Eckersley House, said, "We are delighted that Ken has chosen to support us. The £5,000 will pay for the running cost of a room in the fifteen bedroom house for one year."

Anyone who would like to make a donation or sponsor Ken can contact him on (0113) 2679613.

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