Matthew facing 219-mile trek

AN EX-Royal Marine is preparing to walk the entire length of the Trans Pennine Trail for charity–a challenge prompted by the death of his grandfather.

Matthew Johnson (26) of Victoria Street, Maltby, will set off on the 216 mile challenge from Southport to Hornsea on Monday.

It was the death of his granddad in December last year that spurred Matthew to take on the challenge and raise money for Cancer Research UK.

He said: “I have chosen this charity because many members of mine and my wife's families have suffered with cancer.

“My mum overcame breast cancer some years ago and my granddad lived with cancer for more than ten years before it finally defeated him just before Christmas last year.

“It is something that I have wanted to do for a long time and the death of my granddad spurred me on to actually do it and also turn it into a fund-raising challenge.”

Matthew expects the challenge to take seven days and has been preparing for it with early morning runs and walks.

He said: “I’ve been doing ten to 20 mile walks carrying all the kit I am going to be taking with me, which is a lot. My bag is very heavy. “I have done runs to raise money for Cancer Research UK before but nothing on this

scale.” To sponsor Matthew visit www.justgiving.com/tptwalk2010