Keeping up with the Bothams... and failing

It's the 25th anniversary of Ian Botham's fund-raising ‘walk’ for leukemia research and Beefy's at it again. He has raised £12million over 25 years for leukaemia and lymphoma research and his ‘Great Forget-Me-Not’ walk through 10 towns and cities in 10 days which finishes in Hyde Park on Monday will add another large chunk of money to the fund, possibly as much as half a million. The Daily Mail's Paul Newman joins him in one leg of the journey and has great trouble keeping up with Botham's pace...on foot.

When I eventually finish, seven miles later, I am so far behind the group and public who have joined in for the last four miles that everyone has almost packed up for the journey to the next leg in Winchester. There is just the sight of Botham sitting in a chair, feet up, packed with ice, and glass of wine by his side, talking to the public who are clearly so excited to meet him. No matter. It has been a truly inspirational four hours. Botham shows no signs of slowing down.