A HARTLEY Wintney couple are taking on a gruelling walk to raise money for the local club’s new football stand.

Colin and Toni Charlton will walk 50km non-stop from Hartley Wintney Football Club (HWFC) to Chertsey Town FC in a bid to generate funds for impending ground improvements that are needed in order for HWFC to gain promotion to the next tier in the league system.

Last season, HWFC – affectionately known to fans as The Row – were unable to move up a division, despite strolling to the league title.

As HWFC’s ground, in Green Lane, didn’t meet the required grading to allow promotion from the Combined Counties League Premier League.

With the club applying to build a 63-seat supporters’ stand, extensions to the existing club house and changing rooms, new fencing, including turnstiles to Hart District Council, the couple hope to raise money to help.

Mr Charlton, who is the club’s treasurer and has been associated with the club since he was a youth player there, said: “We’re both keen walkers – we’ve walked the coast to coast, Kilimanjaro. It’s our hobby so it seemed natural to try and raise money this way for the club.

“We love the club and want to help out in anyway that we can. There has always been an association with me and the club.

“We see the changes that could be made to the club as making it become a real community asset.”

At present the club are 23-points clear at the top of the division, meaning promotion this season is almost certain – if the changes are made to the ground.

The Charltons will set off at 2am on April 1 with the aim of finishing in time for the kick off of the fixture between HWFC and Chertsey FC.

“There’s been a real buzz around the village thanks to the club,” Mr Charlton said.

“More and more people over the past few years have been getting involved and coming to the games and the visiting fans say how great it is.

“The way the club is going, it really raises the profile of the village as people think of us as a welcoming place.”

To support the Charltons’ epic challenge visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/colincharlton.