DOGGIE duo Burt and Alfie are ready for some serious walkies.

The miniature schnauzers will be walking 10,000 steps every day in March with their owner Olivia Forsyth.

Olivia, 38, who was successfully treated for thyroid cancer two and a half years ago, is taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Walk All Over Cancer challenge.

And Burt, five, and Alfie, two, are only too happy to join her.

Olivia, from Crawley, said: “For four days a week I’m pretty much tied to my desk and am not particularly active.

“I could really do with the extra exercise, plus of course, I’ll be supporting a cause very close to my heart.

“It’s a pretty simple challenge – and walking is good for you, whether you have a dog or not.

“And we constantly need more funds to support Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work.”

The first – and only – sign of Olivia’s illness was when an Adam’s apple-type lump appeared on her neck.

“At the time, my husband David and I were moving house, and I thought it might be stress connected to that. But a couple of months later, it was still there so I went to get it checked.”

Eventually doctors found a second lump behind the visible one – and that turned out to be a tumour on her thyroid gland.

“It came completely out of the blue and was absolutely shocking to be told I had cancer,” said Olivia.

She had immediate surgery to remove the tumour and the thyroid gland, but didn’t need further treatment, other than drugs.

“Thankfully, it was caught early, so I got away with just the surgery and taking thyroxin, plus I go for regular check-ups. I’m thankful it was picked up so early,” she said.

Keeping check on the number of steps taken each day is easy with a smartphone app, pedometer or wearable activity trackers.

Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for Sussex, said: “Signing up to Walk All Over Cancer is a great way to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, especially with spring just around the corner.

“Walking 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, based on the average person’s stride. That’s quite a challenge for many people. But adopting small lifestyle changes – from walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the lift – can help make the goal feel achievable.

“And for anyone who wants to push themselves further, they can upgrade to 20,000 steps a day.”