Man sets out on 1,000 mile trek for charity

A man has started an epic 1,000 mile cross-country journey to raise money for a children's charity.

Tom Kelsey, 69, from Gloucester will be wild camping while he walks 500 miles there and back for the Cheltenham-based charity WellChild.

Mr Kelsey will be carrying a tent and supplies in a pack weighing around 14kg, and has been training for the challenge in his home city despite having arthritis in his knee.

"I feel prepared and walking is the best thing possible for it," he said.

"My target is 15 miles a day but some days will be less and some will be more," he said.

He will be walking solo on a route that takes him along the Welsh border, through Liverpool and across the Pennines.

As well as camping, Mr Kelsey will stay at a B&B or budget hotel where he can, and said he has plenty of audiobooks downloaded to keep him entertained.

Mr Kelsey has already raised over £1,600 for WellChild, a charity that helps children with complex medical needs to live at home rather than in hospitals, and hopes to raise up to £10,000 during his walk.

"People have seen me out and about and asked me what I'm doing and that's a chance to raise the profile," said Tom.

"I'll be thinking about the kids whilst I'm doing it - when you see these kids that have been in hospital for five years and you can try and get them out to home - that's what keeps me motivated."

Chris Capewell, head of communications and marketing at WellChild, said: "It costs about £2m a year to run and we receive no statutory funding so that's all through fundraising.

"We're really pleased that Tom is doing this - obviously it raises vital funds but it's also a big profile raiser as he talks to people on the route about what we do."