The Argus Appeal’s South Downs Way walkers are a third of the way through their 100 mile hike after completing day two of their challenge.

The walkers were joined by representatives from Southern Water – who donated £2,000 to The Argus Appeal on Monday – yesterday on their 16-mile trek from East Meon to Cocking.

In spite of the blisters and sunburn, the hikers are still enjoying the challenge.

‘Perfect weather’

However, Argus editor Michael Beard was looking forward to a bath and tucking into some decent grub.

He said: “It’s really good and we’ve had the most perfect weather, which means the ground is very hard, but that’s by-the-by – it’s fantastic.

We had the Southern Water guys join us today and I think they enjoyed themselves.

“The thing that’s struck me is how remote everything is up here and it just makes you realise how beautiful it all is.

“We’re all looking forward to the next stint and it’s really endeared me to the Sussex countryside.

“Unless you get out here and experience it, you never really appreciate how stunning it is.”

The team set off from Cocking today on their way to Washington, Ditchling and Alfriston, before finishing at Beachy Head on Sunday.

The Argus Appeal supports the relief of sickness, poverty and hardship, and provides benefits for the lonely, needy, elderly and underprivileged, plus children and others considered appropriate by the trustees in the Sussex area.

To support Michael for the Argus Appeal go to tinyurl.com/obywx9j.