Skateboarder to travel the length of the UK on four wheels

Gary Walker, from Stubbington, is to skateboard unsupported from the tiny village of John O'Groats in the far north of Scotland to the Cornish headland Land's End to celebrate his 50th birthday and help Children With Cancer UK. 

The epic challenge will see him travel around 1,000 miles over six weeks using less-used roads. 

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Gary will be travelling alone with a rucksack, a tent and a sleeping bag and stopping for the night wherever he ends up close to the route. It's thought to be the first time the feat has been attempted without a support crew. 

He aims to set off on May 18 and, if all goes to plan, finish the challenge six weeks later on his big birthday.

Gary told the Daily Echo: "Having previously skateboarded 20 miles for a cancer charity I decided I should push myself a bit further!

"Having only ever covered 60 miles over three days before, I know this is going to be a massive challenge.

"My own sense of adventure will get me to the start and the knowledge that I am helping in some small way those touched by this awful illness will hopefully push me to the finish."

Children with Cancer UK is dedicated to raising money for research and providing care for children with cancer and their families. The aims of their research projects are to understand what causes children to get cancer and to develop improved treatments

Gary added: "Currently only three per cent of cancer funding is dedicated to researching childhood cancers, and the treatments children undergo are often outdated and not suitable for their small bodies.

"Around 80 per cent of those children who survive their cancer will be left with lifelong medical conditions as a result of their treatment. This needs to change."

To sponsor Gary on his skateboarding trek, search for 'Gary's fundraiser for Children with Cancer UK' on JustGiving