Man walks more than 1,200 miles for MND awareness

A man is spending his summer walking more than 1,200 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charity.

Aidan Courts is taking on the challenge - which he hopes will raise awareness of the illness - in memory of his grandfather, who died from MND last year.

The Redditch resident spoke to BBC Hereford and Worcester on Monday - the first anniversary of the death of rugby league legend and MND campaigner Rob Burrow, 41.

Mr Courts, who has made it to Gloucester on his journey, said: "It's been tough, I've had a few blisters and knee pains, but I've had a lot of support so far and friends and family have been able to come and join in."

The challenge will raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Birmingham City Football Club Foundation.

Mr Courts said he had set aside 11 weeks for the walk, but planned to complete it in about 60 days.

So far, he has raised £2,445 towards his £5,000 target.

His fundraising page described how at the age of 11, he completed a charity walk with his grandfather.

After he lost his relative, he decided he wanted to honour his memory by undertaking another walk.

The route ahead will take him through the Peak District and Sheffield before he hikes the Pennine Way through the north of England. In Scotland, he will head north of Glasgow before hiking to Fort William to tackle Ben Nevis.

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