A BRAVE fundraiser from Trowbridge has embarked on a two-year challenge to walk over 25,000 miles around the coast of Australia to raise money for charity after his niece died before Christmas.

Gareth Pritchard, who grew up in the town, emigrated down under eight years ago to live out his dream of being a personal trainer.

But before making the move, Mr Pritchard ran G. Pritchard Plumbing and Heating in the town and hopes his friends and former clients will dig deep to help him raise money for The Leukaemia Foundation and Autism Australia.

“Moving to Australia has always been a dream and I worked hard to make it come true. The walk was just an idea that came to me to do in honour of Jennifer,” he said.

“I also have autism in the family, so the walk is to bring to light the day-to-day struggles and not knowing what the day will bring or how to get through it.

“I haven't really had any bad feelings about the walk and it just feels normal at the moment but the further north I go the more isolated I will be. I do have my iPhone with me for emergencies and use solar power packs to charge it so it is good job it is always sunny here.”

The 47-year-old will make the 25,162 mile journey over the next two years, walking every day and will be sleeping in a tent or a hammock in a tree when he hits crocodile country.

The dad-of-two will have to contend with Australia’s sweltering heat and tough terrains during the challenge while carrying a 35kg backpack in memory of his late 26-year-old niece.

He added: “I have the help of some very good people here and the love and support of my family here and back home, they know I would never give up and I would die trying, which I do not intend to do.

“I was financially unable to see Jennifer before she passed I thought I would do this walk in her honour and I have done a couple of other challenges for charities over the last couple of years and I have previously ran 120kms non-stop on a treadmill.f

“Two weeks later, I completed the Gold Coast marathon and then an event called the Kokoda challenge where I had to tackle 96km within a time limit of 39 hours.”

Mr Pritchard started the challenge last week.

To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/8ad4nezw