Padiham man braves cold snap in barefoot charity challenge

The 62-year-old said the response had been "overwhelming"

A man has braved the recent chilly snap to walk barefoot through his home town to raise funds for a local mental health charity.

Ian Chapman has completed the 2km (1.6m) trek through Padiham town centre each day in November in aid of Burnley-based Casual Minds Matter.

He took on the challenge to support those with mental health issues.

"When it's painful, I think about their struggle and it helps me complete what I am doing," the 62-year-old said.

Mr Chapman began barefoot walking several years ago, first to raise funds for Pendleside Hospice, and later for Casual Minds Matter, a counselling and psychotherapy service, where he volunteers.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire the idea came to him after he encountered a young man in Burnley who tried to take his own life but was later helped by emergency services

"I offered him my phone and said phone a friend, phone a parent, phone somebody, but he ignored me," he said.

"It shook me to core. Still does."

'Overwhelming response'

A popular figure in the Padiham community, local shopkeepers have let the walker call in to warm his feet during the challenge.

Ellie from womenswear boutique Narazuke said he had been walking every day "despite it being Baltic" and was "just getting on with it with a smile on his face".

The Burnley-born manufacturing worker said the "overwhelming" response to his fundraising had been "out of this world".

Recently Mr Chapman has even braved walking barefoot in the snow.

"I knew November might have its cold spells, but I didn't think it would be this cold," he said.