A PAIR of pals are set to trek the Grand Canyon to raise money for a cancer support charity.

Peter Fazal, director at Andover-based The Interim Works, and retired civil servant John May will be jetting off to take on the eight-day-long challenge on Saturday, 30 September.

Mr Fazal has raised over £50,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support by completing a challenge a year for the last six years, and with Mr May by his side he hopes they can break the £60,000 milestone.

The Grand Canyon challenge will involve trekking for miles in searing desert heat, facing steep inclines and difficult dusty terrain. They will walk for up to 12 hours per day in temperatures around 35 Celsius, while enduring cold nights camping.

Mr Fazal made a pledge to complete an overseas challenge a year for the charity after losing his parents and many friends to cancer. His friend of more than 20 years Mar May is joining him for his second challenge after losing his wife Barbara to cancer in February 2016.

Mr Fazal said “I made the decision in 2011 to undertake a challenge a year for as long as I am able to. So far my challenges have included the Great Wall of China, Machu Pichu via the Inca Trail, and trekking across Cuba through the jungle in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan were a great help to my family when I lost my parents and want as many people as possible to benefit from their support when they need it most."

Mr May added: “India was tough last year but I’m really looking forward to the challenge and it will be an incredible sense of achievement to complete the trek for Macmillan Cancer Support who help so many people affected by cancer.”

Experienced Macmillan fundraisier Roy Lewis, 72, will also be on the Grand Canyon trek.

Peter and John aim to raise £7,900 from the trek. To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/fazalmay-grandcanyon-2017. All money raised will go to the charity as Mr Fazal and Mr May are paying for their travel costs.