Fundraiser to take on walk to Portugal challenge

Ian West's walk will start from St Peter’s Gate in Nottingham

A man will be spending almost six weeks walking to Portugal after his brother started to lose his sight.

Ian West, from Bestwood, Nottingham, will be setting off on his walking challenge from Nottingham city centre on 23 August.

His route will take him to Portsmouth, where he’ll board a ferry to Santander on 30 August.

The 69-year-old is fundraising for the sight loss charity Guide Dogs.

Mr West wanted to support the cause after his brother was diagnosed with macular degeneration, a condition that affects the vision of one in 10 people over 65.

Mr West previously walked more than 600 miles (965km) to every Premier League ground

He said: “I’m very excited for the challenge ahead and can’t wait to get started.

“I’m looking forward to meeting people along the way. Even if they can only afford to give me 10p towards my challenge, everything helps – everything is building towards helping somebody less fortunate than ourselves.

“My brother is going blind and has been diagnosed with macular degeneration.

“Once I found out about his sight problems, I knew Guide Dogs would be the charity I wanted to support forever – that’s my world now.”

With permission from the captain of the ferry, Mr West hopes to complete 12 hours of walking while onboard, before arriving in Spain on 1 September.

'Truly an asset'

He will then continue walking from Spain to Portugal, where he hopes to arrive at his final destination, Pedras Lawn Bowls Club in Cabanas, in the first week of October.

Mr West has previously undertaken various walking challenges in aid of Guide Dogs, including walking over 600 miles (965km) to every Premier League football ground and walking the entire coast of Britain.

Claire Robotham, community fundraising relationship manager for Guide Dogs in Nottinghamshire, said: “Ian has done many challenges for us in the past, but none that have taken him across international borders.

“He is 70 this year, and this is his present to himself to complete this challenge and hopefully raise enough money to name another guide dog puppy.

“Ian raises awareness of Guide Dogs wherever he goes - he’s truly an asset to our charity.

“We wish him the best of luck and will be cheering him on along the way.”