Duke and Duchess of Devonshire launch 140 mile Over the Hills and Far Away walk in Yorkshire for charity

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire were there to support former Saville Row tailor and designer, Rupert Lycett-Green, 77, and his dog Spot, as they set off on 140 mile walk over the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in memory of his beloved wife Candida, a legendary writer, author and journalist, to raise as much as possible for charity.

The 10 day walk began on Sunday 1st May at Bolton Abbey where the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire reside. The Duke and Duchess posed for photos outside The Manor House at Bolton Abbey with the 30-strong team of walkers, which included Emma Bridgwater, Edward Fox and Joanna David.

The walk is in support a charity close to Rupert Lycett-Green’s heart, Pancreatic Cancer Action. Candida, the daughter of poet, broadcaster and architect critic, Sir John Betjeman, died of pancreatic cancer in August 2014, just 9 months from diagnosis.

The route - beginning at Bolton Abbey and culminating in the picturesque Northumbrian village of Ingram - is taken from Candida's book, Over The Hills And Far Away, which she wrote about her own expedition with a friend on horseback in 2001.

Rupert said: "Beautiful, funny and kind, Candida braved it out for nine months after she was told she had the disease. She always felt that journeys were to be enjoyed to the maximum and hang the destination.

“Before her death, Candida fundraised for the charity with our daughter Imogen saying that pancreatic cancer was “the Sheffield Wednesday” of tumours due to how little research funding was spent on the disease. This is why I wanted to do something to continue her campaign for more funding and awareness of the disease.”

Pancreatic Cancer Action, which focuses on improving the survival rate of the disease - it has remained at just four percent for 40 years - by working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer.

Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: "We are very grateful to Rupert and all his family and friends, for giving their time to support Pancreatic Cancer Action. They are still dealing with the enormous loss of Candida who was an inspirational woman determined to raise awareness despite being very ill herself.

"As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals to help us continue our vital work. These funds enable us to continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer."

If you would like to join Rupert and Spot on their Over The Hills and Far Away walk or to donate to this very worthy cause, visit spotandrupert.co.uk.

For more information on pancreatic cancer and its symptoms, please visit www.pancreaticcanceraction.org or call 0303 040 1770.