TWO disabled friends are getting ready to walk, cycle and hitchhike their way across Europe.

Lynne Tombs, of Sedgeberrow, near Evesham, and Malcolm Murray, of Upton-upon-Severn, will undertake the challenge of a lifetime to raise awareness of living with physical disabilities.

Ms Tombs, aged 55, has Parkinson's disease. She says the trip is something she has wanted to do her entire life.

"Personally, for me, it will be either wonderful or very difficult. I want to be able to come back and say at least I tried," she said.

"If I don't do it now, you don't know, next year I might not be well enough."

Mr Murray, 61, contracted polio - a virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis - as a child.

As a result he has had both hips, shoulders, wrists, his lower back and pelvis replaced.

He said they do not intend to complete the trip in a set time.

"It could take us two months, it could take us three," he said.

"It all depends on how we feel each day.

"This is going to be a major challenge for us both. It's not like walking from Malvern to Worcester. When you're stuck in a strange country, thousands of miles from home, it isn't easy.

"People need to be aware that being disabled doesn't mean you stay at home, doesn't mean you constantly rely on charity or handouts.

"That is a major point I want to get across."

The friends will travel across 10 European countries by any means possible, including walking and using public transport.

They are setting off from Upton-upon-Severn on Thursday, June 14. They will travel to Dover, catch a ferry to Calais and then head to Barcelona. From Barcelona, the adventurers, who are staying in hostels along the way, will travel home via Tarbes and Lourdes in France, Jersey and Guernsey. They aim to raise £2,000 for the Parkinson's Disease Society. To sponsor them, go to www.justgiving.com/ pilgrimagetolourdes