Major Chris Brannigan to stop off in Newark today as part of 700-mile barefoot walk from Cornwall to Scotland

An army major is to stop off in Newark today (Wednesday) as part of an epic 700-mile barefoot walk from Cornwall to Scotland.

Major Chris Brannigan is part-way through his walk from Land’s End in Cornwall to Edinburgh, carrying 25kg of kit, in a bid to fund research into his young daughter’s rare disease.

His eight-year-old daughter Hasti was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) in 2018, which currently has no cure or treatment.

Chris has so far raised more than £150,000 towards his £200,000 target, which will go towards funds for gene therapy to try and change his daughter’s fate.

Speaking yesterday as he headed towards Grantham on day 21 of his journey, the 40-year-old said: “I am in a good place although my feet are sore, battered and bruised. We knew that we wanted to do something to capture people’s attention and Hasti has been exposed to so much that it seemed only fair that I put myself through some discomfort by going barefoot.

“The support that we have received throughout the challenge has been incredible.”

Chris was later greeted with a round of applause when he arrived at the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, just after 3pm, where he stayed the night before setting off for Newark this morning, passing through Sedgebrook and Bottesford along the way.

Last week, Chris visited 10 Downing Street to deliver a petition calling for better treatment for those affected by rare diseases.

Please donate by visiting: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BarefootAcrossBritain