An elderly couple are embarking on their 25th year of fundraising for the BCR Life Skills Centre in Bexley with their annual sponsored walk.

Rheta and George Birchall, 84 and 88, first became familiar with the Centre when its chaplain, Reverend Antony Dalling, told them about its work.

First set up as the Bexley Centre for the Unemployed in 1984, Reverend Dalling intended to create a space to support those looking for work, providing counselling and advice.

Today, the BCR Life Skills Centre is still in operation, offering services from Trinity Baptist Church on Broadway in Bexleyheath, but is only able to operate for two days a week due to funding difficulties.

Mr and Mrs Birchall, who have been involved with the charity for over two decades, have raised more than £100,000 over the years for the Centre, which they believe is incredibly important to the community.

Mr Birchall said: “There are lots of people in this world who have problems and don’t know which way to turn. We are the fortunate ones.”

He added that the centre has provided vital support over the years to many people who have been struggling.

So to help keep these services in operation, the couple are holding their 25th sponsored walk around Bexley borough on Saturday, April 28.

So far, Mrs Birchall estimates they have raised £5,000 for this year’s walk, which will visit houses of people in the borough and tell them about the work done by the BCU Life Skills Centre.

Over the years, the eight-mile walk has had the support of several politicians in the area, including various mayors in Bexley and MP David Evennett.

Although Mr and Mrs Birchall will not be participating in the walk this year, they will be meeting walkers along the way to cheer them on.

Mrs Birchall has advised anyone who would like to donate to the efforts to contact the BCU Life Skills Centre directly.