A retired priest is set to walk more than 200km by Easter despite his knees and hip 'giving him gyp'.

75-year-old Monsignor Canon Vincent Harvey, from Fareham, aims to help fight global poverty, as part of CAFOD’s Big Lent Walk.

Struggling with arthritis, hip and knee pain, he is taking to Hampshire's beauty spots each day to up his mileage and raise more to boost his fundraising. 

Daily Echo: Monsignor Canon Vincent Harvey in action

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Monsignor Harvey was parish priest of the city centre parish in Southampton for many years, holding different positions including team leader for interreligious dialogue, and retired recently.

He has already beaten his £750 target, raising £787 in the first 20 days of 40.  So far, Monsignor Harvey has walked more than 60km around the Itchen valley, Fareham, and Portchester, enjoying plenty of riverside walks, great views and countryside terrain. 

Father Harvey told the Daily Echo: "I am low in kilometres but high in donations! I am walking, honest, just the knees and hip have been causing me gyp!! So, each step is an effort, and the rain doesn't help but I keep on going!! Keep up the giving please!”

Daily Echo: Monsignor Canon Vincent Harvey is walking 200km before Easter

The Big Lent Walk supports CAFOD’s work in over 40 countries worldwide – helping those who have lost homes, livelihoods, family members, and face chronic food shortages in the wake of a burgeoning climate crisis and escalating global conflicts.

Neil Roper, Fundraising Events Manager at CAFOD, added: “We are so grateful to Monsignor Harvey and so many others who are taking part in our Big Lent Walk. Every pound raised makes a huge difference. Last year thousands of walkers got involved and this year we’re rallying even more participants, so we can reach more communities overseas.

“Embarking on a 200km journey might seem daunting, but if you break it up it’s manageable, and even fun! It’s not too late to get involved please sign up and challenge poverty to take a hike.”

CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and it aims to tackle global issues including poverty, education, and injustice.