Botham completes 11th charity walk

Ian Botham has completed his 11th charity walk in aid of Leukaemia Research and Teenage Cancer Trust, after passing through 17 cities across Britain in nine days. The final leg took place in London on Tuesday, finishing up at the Marks & Spencers store in Marble Arch.

"It's been an amazing nine days," said Botham, as he completed the walk in the company of his celebrity colleagues, Daley Thompson, Barry McGuigan, Ernie Els, DJ Spoony, Michael Watson and Piers Morgan. "This walk has been a great experience and as with all my walks, I've met some wonderful people along the way - the loyal support of the British public is something I've always been able to count on.

"Even though today I'm walking over the finish line in London, I hope that money will continue to roll in to help the six teenagers and young adults who are diagnosed with cancer every day. With your help, we can help them win their fight."

Botham, 50, has been an avid charity fundraiser for nearly 30 years, and his previous trips have included a walk from Land's End to John O'Groats in 1985, and the Hannibal trek across the Alps, complete with elephants, in 1988.

To date, he has raised more than £8million for good causes, and in 2003 he was made the first ever President of Leukaemia Research, the only national charity devoted exclusively to leukaemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma and other lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. Over 24,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with a blood cancer every year.

Fans who wish to help Ian "bowl out teenage cancer" can do so by donating online at www.bothamwalk.com or ringing 020 7269 9003.