A DETERMINED dad set himself a challenge to walk 10 miles a day to support a charity that cared for his father at the end of his life.

Mark Evans, from Stratton St Margaret, wanted to give something back to Prospect Hospice after seeing how his dad Derek was looked after.

So the 48-year-old started a 40-day journey on May 23 to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary. He’s due to finish on July 1.

He said: “The Prospect Hospice was there for me and my family 20 years ago when my dad needed end-of-life care.

“So, they’ve always been quite close to our hearts. Obviously, I have heard about the challenges they’ve been having with Covid-19, so I really wanted to do something to try and help make a difference so they can be there for other families as well.”

Prospect Hospice is celebrating its 40th birthday this year and has encouraged donators to join its 40 challenge.

Participants can make their own challenge as long as the number is a variant of 40.

Mark said: “I love walking, so it had to be a big enough challenge, to capture people’s attention and hopefully get some money coming in as well for the Hospice. I’ve been walking around Swindon, there are lots of beautiful parks.

“I just like getting out and about, discovering lots of places, some I haven’t even seen before. There are lots of beautiful places to visit. It’s been quite uplifting and great for my mental health as well.”

The senior marketing executive at Nationwide is walking three miles every day before breakfast and completing the last seven miles after work.

“I want to thank my wife Heidi, she’s been supporting and allowed me to disappear for like 4 hours a day, every day to complete this challenge,” he said. “And my two children are also behind me.

“I’ve been taking time away from them whilst I complete the challenge.

“They’ve all been very supportive and encourage and I couldn’t have that without them.”

He added: “I’m finishing on July 1, that’d would have been my dad’s birthday as well. So, it’s quite special day.”

Mark hopes to finish his last walk in the ground of Prospect Hospice.

The hospice had to close all its shops after the country went into lockdown and launched a £2m appeal last month to help it carry on delivering the hospice service.

Donations stations have opened across Swindon and north east Wiltshire for supporters to donate clothes, furniture, homeware, books, CDs and DVDs, but the charity will no longer be able to accept toys and nursery equipment or white goods. To support Mark visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-evans400