Charity walk inspired by Vardy's footballing journey

Paul Sharratt (left) and Steve Taylor (right) are raising funds for Guide Dogs

Two Leicester City fans have taken on an 80-mile (128.7km) charity walk inspired by Jamie Vardy's footballing journey.

Steve Taylor and his brother-in-law Paul Sharratt have named a guide dog puppy "Vardy" - in honour of Leicester City club legend Vardy - as they fundraise for Guide Dogs.

The pair set off on Tuesday from Bracken Moor, in South Yorkshire – the home of Stockbridge Park Steels - the non-league club where Vardy's football journey began.

Mr Taylor said they hoped to arrive at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Saturday, in time for the club's match against Coventry City, known as the M69 derby.

Mr Taylor said their route mirrors Vardy's rise through the football pyramid

Mr Taylor told the BBC they had already raise £2,500 to name the guide dog and additional funds would go towards training.

He said their route mirrors Vardy's rise through the football pyramid and would take them past the grounds of several clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Coalville Town FC.

Mr Taylor and his wife Anne are guide dog puppy raisers and fosterers.

He said they had been involved with the charity "for years and have seen first-hand how life-changing these dogs are".

Anne Taylor is also raising money for Guide Dogs by swimming the equivalent of the English Channel at her local pool

Vardy scored 200 goals in 500 appearances for Leicester City over a 13-year period and played a key role in the Foxes Premier League winning campaign. The forward now plays for Italian side Cremonese.

Mr Taylor said: "We were born and raised in Leicester and have supported City all our lives, so we're really excited to be walking a route inspired by Jamie Vardy's footballing journey.

"Naming a guide dog 'Vardy' feels like the perfect tribute to that determination – and a way to help change someone's life for the better.

"We've already raised two pups for Guide Dogs and wanted to do something special while we take a break from full-time puppy raising.

"We're also still fostering, so we're never without a dog for long."