CRICKET legend Sir Ian Botham strode out from Winchester yesterday (Wednesday) on a charity walk aimed at hitting cancer for six.

The former England star walked a 16-mile route to Mottisfont Abbey near Romsey to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.There he joined fund-raisers on a six-mile sponsored trek to White Hart Inn, Stockbridge.

Scores of well-wishers, including the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Dominic Hiscock, turned up outside Marks & Spencer in the High Street to catch a glimpse of ‘Beefy’, who is halfway through a challenge of walking at least 10 miles in 10 towns over 10 days.

The 54-year-old, speaking to the Hampshire Chronicle, said: “I saw children dying back in the 70s and then in the 80s we started the walks. “We have had a fantastic response wherever we have gone — it’s been very well supported.

“The generosity is the thing that never stops to amaze me. People come out and at the end of the day when we get to Romsey I hope there will be even more.”

The 10-day challenge marks the 25th anniversary of Sir Ian’s first walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

Richard Delderfield, vicechairman of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, said:“I first carried a bucket with Sir Ian the year my son died of leukaemia in 1985. “Then a child diagnosed with the most common form of childhood leukaemia had a 20 per cent chance of maybe surviving; today, several thousand miles and £12m later,we’re talking about a 90 per cent chance, and that’s a very powerful story to keep us going.”