A FARNWORTH man has walked nearly 200 miles for charity — and raised £1,000 in the process.

Andy Walker completed the coast-to-coast Walk with his friend, Paul Greaves, and brother-in-law, Stephen Oldfield, which saw them hike the 192-mile route from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

The three men completed the trek in just eight days and the money raised will go to the NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service.

The coast-to-coast Walk was devised by author and fellwalker Alfred Wainwright.

It passes through three national parks — The Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors.

Mr Walker, aged 45, said: “I spent lots of my childhood days in the Lake District, where my uncle introduced me to the Wainwright Fells books.

“I found I enjoyed walking and getting out into the countryside.

“Then it became a regular hobby and, over the years, I have managed to walk every one of the Wainwright Fells, of which there are 214. I then decided it was time for a new challenge, hence doing the coast-to-coast.”

“It was a wonderful experience and I highly recommended it for anyone who walks as a hobby and likes a challenge.”

Money raised by Mr Walker’s efforts will go towards the NSPCC’s Now I Know appeal, which will enable ChildLine Schools Service volunteers to visit every primary school in the country to talk to children about abuse.

Mr Walker is no stranger to charity challenges, having completed six oversees challenges for the NSPCC, including a trek to Machu Picchu and Ecuador, raising more than £25,000 for the charity.

Mr Walker is already preparing for his next challenge.

On May 4, he will be joining 25 friends and family to climb Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, which stands at more than 4,400 feet.

Then he will take on his biggest challenge yet, Mount Stok Kangri in the Indian Himalayas, which reaches 20,182ft.

  • To sponsor Mr Walker, go here.