WALKING 2,000 miles in 12 months might seem like a daunting challenge but one Knutsford hiker is taking it all in his stride clocking up more than 1,500 miles since July.

Graham Morris is chairman of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Charity and has signed up for this year’s Million Miles Challenge where supporters have been asked to run, walk or cycle as far as they can and raise much-needed funds.

The active 71-year-old has walked an average of 6.2 miles a day since July 1 – missing just one day – and has already managed to cover more than three quarters of his target distance.

Graham walks around Knutsford, Toft Woods and Tatton Park with his wife Shirley and they are discovering new places to walk every day.

He said: “I’ve seen a different side Knutsford during my walks.

“It’s amazing what you see when you slow down and you’re not rushing around.

“It’s beautiful when the sun shines but I have had one or two soakings in the rain over the past few months.”

The former CEO of Rolls Royce and Bentley Motor Cars is no stranger to charity fundraising having worked with several organisations over the past twenty years and he completed a sponsored 5km run last year.

Graham is hoping the money raised this year will boost Alder Hey’s 7 in 10 Appeal, which is aiming to transform the way mental health services are delivered to children and young people.

He said: “This last year has been a very difficult time for us all on a personal basis and the same goes for all charities that play such a big part in our society.

“Alder Hey has been badly affected as all of our fundraising events had to be cancelled, our shop closed and many of our major corporate donors’ businesses have been badly hit.

“In response, we launched our Million Miles Challenge and it’s fantastic that so many supporters have signed up to help.”

Graham, who has managed to lose 9lbs on his way to collecting £2,870, is nearly 200 miles ahead of schedule and is hoping to complete his 2,000-mile journey in May.

To make a donation to Graham’s fundraising page visit sponsorme.co.uk/grahammorris-(1)/2000-mile-walk-for-alder-hey-childrens-hospital-charity.aspx