Tidworth based soldier marching across USA barefoot for daughter with life-limiting condition
It's all to raise funds for vital research
A Tidworth based soldier is taking on another epic challenge, as he tries to march barefoot 1,200 miles across the USA.
Chris Brannigan, from Surrey, is doing the challenge for his 9 year old daughter Hasti who suffers from a rare life-limiting and life-shortening genetic condition called CdLS.
Chris wants to raise as much money as possible so Hasti can get the treatment that she needs.
Major Brannigan has already walked 700 miles barefoot across the UK and raised £500,000 but will continue his campaign in the US, where the treatment is being developed.
He starts today (Tuesday 31st August) leaving Maine and heading to North Carolina, visiting the laboratory developing the treatment and other sites linked to supporting children with CdLS.
He anticipates it will take 53 consecutive days to walk the 1,200 miles, travelling up to 35 miles a day while carrying a 25kg kit bag, including his one-man tent.
Chris and his wife Hengameh set up the charity 'Hope for Hasti' to raise awareness and get vital funds for research into their daughter's condition.
With this challenge, Major Brannigan hopes to raise £50,000 and has already had £24,000 donated.
He told the PA news agency:
"It exists, it is on a shelf in a laboratory in Maine and we are currently about to start on efficacy trials, and all the staff are really optimistic about the kind of effect it will have.
"We are hoping we will be able to move straight into clinical trials early next year but that is dependant on us having the funds necessary, and hence I am undertaking this fundraising challenge."
You can follow Chris' progress via the Hope for Hasti Facebook page and you can donate to his challenge through his Go Fund Me.