Two men (and a donkey) to rely on generosity during cross-country trek

Teacher Mike Baxter, 28, and his brother Tom, 31, aim to survive the "Two Men and a Donkey" trek from Liverpool to Hull without a penny to their name, as they beg or work for food and shelter along the way.

The challenge aims to settle an argument between Mike, who fears most Britons have become selfish, and Tom, who thinks the public are as welcoming as ever.

Accompanying the brothers on the 153-mile coast-to-coast route is eight-year-old donkey Fergal, who is to be their "ice-breaker" when they encounter people for the first time.

Mike, from Sheffield, said: "Once upon a time children could run freely in our streets, students would not think twice about hitching a ride and a drunk asking for 20p wasn't about to mug you.

"We are asking what happened to our society. The trek is our experiment to establish the truth.

"We are doing the trip with no food, no water and no money, in the hope that the generosity of people we meet will see us through.

"Fergal is going to be our talking point," Mike said. "But she will also put people's generosity to the test. It's one thing to have two strangers in your house, but something else to give a donkey the run of your rose garden for the night."

Father-of-four Tom, a recruitment consultant from Perpignon, France, added: ""I am sure that we will get a cup of tea and a bite for us, along with some grazing or straw for Fergal whenever we need it.

"I'm sure that British people are are still open and welcoming to strangers in need."

Along the way, they aim to raise at least 500 for The Stroke Association.