Paul’s 620 miles in 20 days...on foot (From Southend Standard)

Paul’s 620 miles in 20 days...on foot

9:00am Saturday 4th August 2012 in Southend By Chloe Chapman

A MAN is embarking on an epic fundraising challenge by walking 620 miles for charity. Paul Brandreth, 37, will start his solo mission in Edinburgh before making his way along to British coast back to Southend.

The 20-day walk will see him cover an average of 31 miles each day.

Mr Brandreth, of Parkanaur Avenue, Thorpe Bay, has never taken part in a charity event before and decided it was time to do his bit for Cancer Research UK.

He said: “It all started last year when I felt like doing something different. I had been doing a bit of walking, so it made sense to help a charity by involving that.

“I just want to be able to say I’ve done something big like this. I don’t necessarily have plans to make this an annual thing, but everyone has told me once you start fundraising, you get the buzz.”

Mr Brandreth has been spending his weekends for the past 18 months walking up to 30 miles a day.

While he is hopeful all the practice will have prepared him for the challenge, he is ensuring he has a comfortable sleep every night.

Mr Brandreth has booked himself into hotels along the route, many of which have let him stay for free or given reduced rates.

He said: “There is nothing really to compare it to. Lots of people do marathons, so you can easily ask for advice, but I don’t know anyone else who has done something like this.

“Hopefully it won’t be raining, but unfortunately that can’t be helped. At the same time, if it was really hot, then that would be very uncomfortable.”

The walk will start in Edinburgh on Sunday. Mr Brandreth will make his way down southern Scotland to Sunderland, along the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast and arrive back in Southend on Saturday, August 25.

He hopes to raise £5,000 for Cancer Research, but his London-based employer, insurance company QBE, has promised to match his final sum.

To sponsor Mr Brandreth, visit www.justgiving.com/B620Miles