A PAIR of plucky pensioners are well on the way to walking 125 miles to raise hundreds of pounds for the Royal British Legion.

For years Malcolm Firman, 87, has collected for the annual Poppy Appeal outside the Co-op in Sible Hedingham.

He mans the collection tins with pal David Skittral, 79.

But last year’s collection in the run-up to Remembrance Day, in November, was hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Malcolm and David, who both live in the village, decided to take matters into their own hands.

They set themselves the target of walking 125 miles, stepping out twice a week to complete 20 walks around the Hedinghams before the Royal British Legion’s 100th anniversary on May 15.

“I just thought that as things didn’t go very well for the Poppy Appeal last November, we could do something as we approach the centenary celebrations of the Royal British Legion,” said Malcolm, who is the Hedingham branch chairman.

“We set ourselves a target of 125 miles and go out twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday.”

The duo broke the 100-mile barrier last week.

Malcolm, who was a lance corporal in the Essex Regiment when he did his national service from 1954-56, said: “We keep a record of the miles we do.

“We don’t go very fast but we get the miles in.

“We did almost eight miles on our longest walk.”

That trek took them to Dynes Hall, passing houses Malcolm helped to build in the 1960s.

They are doing so well they could now increase their total target distance to match their combined ages.

They have also smashed their £250 fundraising target, with more than £500 already in the bank.

Malcolm, who lives in the house he was born in, at Brook Terrace, said: “It’s going remarkably well – it’s £500 we wouldn’t have had and if it does some good then it’s all worthwhile.”

More hikers are now joining the walks as lockdown rules are relaxed.

To follow their progress and to donate to the appeal, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/manddwalkforrbl.