A STREET entertainer is taking on the Camino de Santiago, an 800km trek across France and Spain.

David Solomons, 51, from Shoreham, works as a street entertainer.

He decided to take on the challenge to raise money for St Barnabas House in Worthing, the hospice that cared for his mother, Mary Solomons.

He said: “When I heard about the Camino de Santiago ‘Pilgrims’ Walk’ across France and Spain, I became instantly fascinated by it.

“Over the following few months I had several uncanny experiences and odd coincidences that made it seem like I was destined to walk the Camino Way.

“Having lost my mum to cancer in December 2014, I decided that I wanted to do this walk in her memory and to try to raise some money for St Barnabas House.

“She was cared for by the hospice at home team.

“I cannot express enough praise or gratitude for the work they do for families during the most difficult times and it would mean a lot to give a little back to them to say thank you.”

David’s father, Mike Solomons, is the leader of Findon Friends of St Barnabas House who have raised over £23,000 for the hospice since he became leader in 2010.

David said: “My mum and dad have always been really big supporters of the hospice for as long as I can remember.

“I know that mum would be delighted that I am doing this, and also really worried about me but this would be just the kind of crazy thing she would expect me to go and do.”

David, who has no long distance walking experience, set himself the challenge of six months to train and improve his fitness levels to be able to walk 20 miles a day.

He is due to start walking on Wednesday, September 12, and aims to complete the walk in six weeks, including a bit extra at the end to take him to the coast.

He said: “I am very grateful for the help and support of my local gym, Three-Sixty-Fitness in Shoreham, who are not only setting me workout goals and helping me with my training, but also sponsoring me too”

David is hoping to raise £1,000 for the hospice by taking on the challenge, and so far he is about halfway towards his target.

If you would like to sponsor David, please visit www.justgiving.com/david-solomons.

St Barnabas House is a charity whose aim is to provide high quality specialist palliative care both within the hospice and in patients’ homes.