IT WILL be a long walk of love for Robert Holmes and his friends and family as they embark on a trek to raise money for the people who saved the life of his wife.

IT WILL be a long walk of love for Robert Holmes and his friends and family as they embark on a trek to raise money for the people who saved the life of his wife.

Next month Mr Holmes will be joined by his brothers Chris and Andy, nephews Joshua Midson-Holmes and Charlie and Jack Holmes and friends Steve and Sarah Smith , Kara Redman and Julian Bunting, to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Addenbrooke's Hospital.

They have called the walk the Long Walk Home as it is a symbol of the journey Rob's wife Lisa made from Addenrbooke's Hospital back home after suffering horrific injuries when she fell under a bus in Ipswich.

Mrs Holmes, a 39-year-old mother of one from Purdis Farm, Ipswich, made a miraculous recovery after suffering terrible head and pelvic injuries after the accident in Tacket Street in February.

She spent 99 days in hospital but returned home in May and is continuing to make good progress.

Mr Holmes, of Whitethorn Road, said: “The seriousness of Lisa's condition was immediately apparent and our deepest thanks firstly go out to two members of the public, Michael and Wendy, whose speed and immediate reactions at the scene to comfort Lisa, direct traffic and prevent further injury helped save Lisa's life.

“We will always be grateful to everyone who helped or who has played any part in helping during the events of the last few months and hope that Lisa's recovery will continue from strength to strength.”

The group taking part in the sponsored 'Long Walk Home' set off from Cambridge on Friday, August 22, and aim to back in Ipswich three or four days later.

The 60-mile trek will go via the scenic route, from Wickhambrook, Lavenham and through to Somersham before arriving at their destination.

Mr Holmes, 36, added: “Lisa is very pleased we are doing this. She is doing very well at the moment.

“I am very excited about it. I was quite daunted by the organisation of it all but the idea has been there for a while. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone. I want to raise as much money as possible.”

n. To donate money to East Anglian Air Ambulance visit www.justgiving.com/longwalkhome or to donate to Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, visit www.justgiving.com/longwalkhome2.

Are you raising money for charity for a special reason? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Mr and Mrs Holmes had been out in Ipswich shopping for their daughter, Ciara's, first birthday that was two days after the accident.

Mr Holmes had taken Ciara in her pushchair and was due to meet up with his wife. As he neared the bus stop in Tacket Street he saw the emergency services surrounding the bus and realised something dreadful had happened to his wife.

She was initially taken to Ipswich Hospital and then transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital where she remained until her recovery.

Although the East Anglian Air Ambulance was not needed for transportation, they did provide specialist paramedic support to the East of England Ambulance Service personnel while she was being transferred to Ipswich Hospital.