A Middleton man is set to walk around 348 miles to raise money for the British Heart Foundation after his son was born with a serious heart condition.
Matthew Pilkington is preparing to take on the challenge in March 2026, walking from Alkrington in Middleton to Torquay Harbour over the course of several weeks.
The route will follow canals, rivers and waterways for much of the journey, reflecting his long standing interest in the canal network. He plans to cover at least a marathon distance each day.
Matthew is raising funds for the British Heart Foundation after his son was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition that can require surgery throughout life. He said heart conditions have also affected other members of his family.
His fundraising page has so far raised more than £1300 towards a target of £1600, with dozens of donations already received.
The planned route includes sections of the Rochdale Canal, Peak Forest Canal, Macclesfield Canal and Trent and Mersey Canal before continuing along waterways through Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The journey will then follow the River Severn, Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, and rivers and coastal paths through the south west, finishing in Devon.
Matthew said he hopes the challenge will raise awareness as well as funds for research into heart disease. The British Heart Foundation supports research and promotes prevention and treatment of heart conditions.
He also aims to highlight the historical importance of the canal network, which played a key role in transporting goods during the Industrial Revolution and is now widely used for leisure and wildlife habitats.
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