Walker, 86, sets off on 100-mile charity challenge

A pensioner plans to walk 100 miles across Kent for charity after being inspired by the story of a young girl with a rare skin disorder.

Mike Patrick, from Wigmore in Medway, will hike an average of 10 miles daily for 10 days to raise funds for the charity Cure EB, funding research of epidermolysis bullosa.

The 86-year-old set off on Wednesday on the challenge, which came about after he met somebody on a skiing holiday whose granddaughter had the genetic condition.

Her story "just broke my heart", Patrick told the BBC. "She's in pain every day, and it was a little girl's own story that got to me."

Epidermolysis bullosa causes skin to become very fragile, with any bumps or friction leading to painful blisters, according to the NHS.

The first leg of Patrick's challenge is between Hempstead, near Gillingham, and Maidstone.

He said: "The idea is to make it a challenge, and it had to be something a bit difficult.

"I know I can walk 10 miles, but that's in one day. Doing 10, I know, is going to be very hard for me."

His online donation page showed more than £4,500 had been raised ahead of the walks.

Patrick told the BBC he could "do something worthwhile" and "make use of my age, which is in some ways a disability, and turn it into an ability, because you wouldn't be talking of me if I was 26".

He added: "Both my daughters think I'm mad, but they're proud of me, as are my grandchildren as well."

The Medway Ramblers walking group helped to organise his route.

The group's chair John Billings said: "We haven't really been involved in charity walks similar to this, so it is unique and it's quite a challenge, particularly as Mike is 86 years old."

Patrick said: "I was married for 58 years until my wife died, and walking with the Ramblers has helped me be focused and have a purpose in life."

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