Yorkshire estate agents Linley and Simpson are aiming to go “Around the World in 80 Days” in a bid to raise thousands-of-pounds for Martin House Hospice Care for Children and Young People.

Following in the footsteps of the Jules Verne characters Phileas Fogg and Passepartout, staff from Harrogate, Ripon and Wetherby branches of Linley & Simpson are attempting to cover the distance around the world (24,901 miles or 40,075km), not by balloon, but on two feet and two wheels – and without travelling far from home.

To reach their target, a combined daily distance of 311 miles (505km) needs to be covered by the participants, whose movements – be it walking, running, or cycling – are being recorded on a smartphone tracking app.

Will Linley, Linley & Simpson Chief Executive and Co-Founder, said:

“Because Covid has denied us the opportunity of taking part in a series of planned fundraising activities for Martin House, we have now devised this challenge as our grand sponsored finale of 2020.

“With a combined workforce of 260 employees, we hope we can achieve what the characters in the classics Jules Verne novel did, when they went ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, but in our case without setting foot outside of the county!

“Martin house is an incredible charity, and one that we are delighted to be supporting for at least another 12 months.

Becky Beevers, Martin House Partnerships Manager, said:

“Once again, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Linley & Simpson for their continued support, which means a great deal to us.

“I wish them all the very best for this 80-day challenge, and look forward to following their progress over the coming weeks.”

Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.