565 miles in 35 days is pretty good going for a fundraising pilgrim with dodgy knees!

EPIC TREK BOOSTS ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY

- By POST REPORTER

SIX bouts of knee surgery were not enough to stop Kevin Osbon from taking on a mammoth pilgrimage in aid of charity.

Through their efforts, Kevin and his wife, Victoria, have raised more than £6,000 for the Alzheimer's Society after losing three people close to their hearts.

Kevin, 60, of Fiskerton, walked the Camino Frances, an ancient pilgrimage route from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, in southern France to Santiago de Compostela, a Spanish city where the cathedral is believed to house the remains of St James.

In total, Kevin walked 565 miles in 35 days, taking 1,227,080 steps.

His endeavours, supported by Victoria, also 60, for two thirds of the way, were in memory of his aunt, Carmel Taylor; good friend and Nottingham Casuals RFC president Derek Hunter, and his next-door neighbour of many years and adopted grandmother to his children, Margaret Pulham.

All three died within a three-month period due to complications associated with Alzheimer's or vascular dementia.

It was particularly tough for Kevin, who has had six knee operations, including major rebuilds of both sides following sporting injuries.

The couple's feet, knees and hips took a real hammering from having to trek in weather ranging from heavy snow over the Pyrenees to 30C heat in the Meseta plains.

Kevin, who lost well over a stone after burning 5,000 calories a day, said: "It was an amazing and memorable challenge and we've had the most incredible, emotional experience.