CHIPPENHAM MP Michelle Donelan sets off on the second leg of her 87-mile charity trek along the Kennet & Avon Canal.

She is being accompanied by her partner Tom Turner and her colleague Laura Hall-Wilson.

They were given a rousing welcome at the Black Horse pub in Devizes by parents of children at the Holt Pre-school who are trying to raise £200,000 to provide a new building.

Miss Donelan, 37, said: "I was feeling a bit sore by the end of yesterday. It was very hot yesterday which made it very challenging.

"I've got a big blister on my right ankle, which now has a plaster over it. But we will definitely finish."

Miss Donelan and Mrs Hall-Wilson, 35, completed the 36-mile first leg from Keynsham to Devizes yesterday.

Today, they set off to walk the second leg from Devizes to Newbury, and will completed the third leg from Newbury to Reading on Sunday.

Already, they have raised more than £6,000 for the Holt Pre-school, which is trying to raise funds to replace its 50-year-old existing premises.

Kate Buckrell, 42, the Holt Pre-school business manager, said they have already raised £165,000 and hope to raise a further £45,000 towards the cost.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the support from the local community, especially Michelle's support and her walk today.

"We really hope we can reach our target . We have lots more events planned to raise funds and are hoping to get another £45,000."

The fundraisers have applied for a government grant and will know within the next month whether their application has been successful.

If they can get the full amount, Mrs Buckrell says they will press ahead and order the Passivhaus building they would like.

They are hoping the architect-designed building they would like will be built to strict environmental standards.

"We have located it on the site so that we can continue to use the existing premises until the new building is built.

"We have received lots of offers of help from volunteers in the village, including plastering, flooring and painting and decorating."

The group has also received offers of desks from the Glove Factory, a laptop, furniture and appliances.

"People have been putting cheques through my door", said Mrs Buckrell, whose own children attended the pre-school when they were younger.

The Holt Bridge Club closed and has just donated £130, and the Holt Luncheon Club closed and auctioned off its pots and pans, adding a further £1,000 to the total.

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