A COMMITTED Barrow AFC supporter will set off for Torquay tomorrow, with only his thumb to carry him all the way.

Steve Herbert is hitch-hiking to Plainmoor – a journey of 346 miles from Holker Street – for Saturday’s National League clash between the Gulls and the Bluebirds.

He is completing the sponsored journey to raise money to pay for tickets for people who otherwise might not make Barrow home games under the auspices of the Bluebirds Trust.

So far, more than £700 has been raised.

Herbert said: “All the money raised will go to a match ticket fund.

“For example, £40 raised might pay for a class of local children to attend with their teachers, a couple of fans from a community group, someone who would like to go but needs a carer to come with them, a youth club prize, or just a family who have had a bit of a bad time and would like a day out.

“People can apply to Trust Tickets and we will then arrange to have their tickets sent to them – we think this way we will get the maximum usage and also those that donated will get a real sense of where their tickets are going.”

The long journey to Devon is expected to take around 12 hours, but Herbert has experience of thumbing lifts, and added: “I used to hitch-hike a fair bit when I was younger and, although I wouldn’t recommend it to the beginner these days from a safety point-of-view, you do meet some interesting people.

“I’ve had lifts from everyone from (former Barrow Raiders chairman) Des Johnston to (ex-SNP leader) Alex Salmond in the past.”

Bluebirds’ fans can support his quest by donating online at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/HerbieshitchtoTorquay or at the club office, up to and including the Chester home game on Tuesday.

Donations will be collected at the Bluebirds Trust shop in the ground on match-day.

The 350 mile hitch-hike will begin tomorrow morning. The return leg is expected to be easier – he will travel on the supporters’ bus.

You can follow Herbert’s progress by following Bluebirds Trust on Twitter with the hashtag #HerbiesHitch