THREE Erith firefighters are planning to walk nearly 1,000 miles to help the families of American colleagues caught in the September 11 disaster.

Dave Yeates, 37, Keith Pick, 39, and Paul Gardner, 53, from Erith fire station's White Watch, set off for Scotland tomorrow (February 28).

They are hoping to raise thousands of pounds, through sponsorship and collections, to send to the families of their New York counterparts, killed when the city's Twin Towers collapsed last year.

They will drive to John O'Groats where they will begin their trek on March 2. They hope to cover the 900-plus miles in five weeks, staying overnight in fire stations along the route.

With them in a support vehicle will be Martin Ellis and others members of White Watch on a rota basis.

The walk has taken months to put together but the group is still looking for help with first aid supplies, food packs and energy drinks, although a number of local businesses have already donated goods.

They kicked off the effort with bucket collections on February 16 in the Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath, which raised £2,084, and at Morrisons in Erith which raised £1,162.

"It was much more than we expected and we are grateful to all those who contributed," said Station Officer Martin Cook.

The men also intend to do bucket collections in all the towns they pass along the way and are hoping for a big send-off from the fire station in Erith Road, Belvedere, when they set off at 10am.

It is still not too late for individuals or companies to offer help or sponsorship. Sponsorship forms are available from the fire station and you can also drop in donations in cash or by cheque there.

You can send cheques, payable to Erith Firefighters Twin Towers Appeal, to the station at 52 Erith Road, Belvedere, Kent.