Man sets off on 3,000-mile coast walk in wife's memory

Nick Johnson and his English Setter Louis are walking clockwise along the coastline of England

A man has set off on a 3,000-mile (4,828km) fundraising walk along the coast of England in memory of his wife.

Nick Johnson's wife Lisa died in August, aged 58, after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer eight years before.

Starting off on his 63rd birthday, he will walk the coastline clockwise, joined by his French rescue dog Louis.

The pair, who began their seven-month walk from Highcliffe Castle in Dorset on Sunday, hope to raise £50,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action charity.

Lisa Johnson was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei, in 2015.

Mr Johnson a retired IT manager from Wiltshire, said: "After living with her cancer for eight years, she [Lisa] felt that she was one of the lucky ones.

"Her diagnosis and condition never defined her.... she lived the fullest life possible following her surgery and continued treatment."

Mr Johnson said the money he raises will go towards sponsoring a scientist at Ovarian Cancer Action in memory of Lisa

He said he hoped the money he raises for the charity "will ensure that ovarian cancer will be survivable for future generations, as today many women do not know the symptoms and early diagnosis is critical".

During the completely self-funded trip, the pair plan to sleep in a bed every night using B&Bs, pubs and staying with friends.

"With a tent for plan B when we cannot find anywhere to stay," Mr Johnson added.

Mr Johnson and Louis were joined by well-wishers as they set off from Highcliffe Castle, Dorset, on Sunday morning

The coastline walk, estimated to total 3,048 miles (4,905km), will see the pair walk an average 13 miles (20km) each day and includes walking 84 miles (135km) to cross from west to east along Hadrian's Wall.

They will then head along the east coast to the finish in Milford on Sea, on the Hampshire coast.

Mr Johnson hopes to complete the walk in November, on what would have been Lisa's 60th birthday.

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