A MAN who trekked some of the harshest mountain ranges in the world has come up with a new challenge after muscle deterioration stopped him from walking.

Andy Davies could once be found navigating the Alps or Himalayas but now uses a motorised chair to travel long distances after he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2019.

However, Andy still has adventure in his heart, even at 72, and has now set up the Thames Source to Sea Challenge – a 184-mile trek of riverbank running from Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier.

The journey is split into 30 sections, traverses seven counties, and is designed to let people walk, cycle, or even paddle any distance they choose to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

The Argus: Andy has been a keen adventurer all his lifeAndy has been a keen adventurer all his life (Image: The Argus)

Andy, from Arundel, said: “As well as raising awareness of muscular dystrophy, a key aim in creating Source to Sea was to give others with muscular dystrophy an accessible opportunity to experience the Thames Path or just get together.

“I had always loved walking, running, cycling and being active, so after I was diagnosed, I thought the Thames Path would be an ideal flat trail for me to do in 2020.

“However, along came Covid, and, like many others with muscle-wasting conditions, my muscles deteriorated more significantly owing to reduced activity.

The Argus: The 184-mile routeThe 184-mile route (Image: The Argus)

Andy, a retired sociology and humanities teacher at Felpham Secondary School in Bognor, can now walk for up to one mile with the help of a frame.

He was inspired to make Source to Sea a community event.

Andy said: “I am looking forward to seeing off the start of the walk on the Saturday at 10 am at the Thames’s source in the village of Kemble, Gloucestershire, which is marked by just a stone.

"Then on the Sunday I’ll join the final three-and-a-half-mile section, between Greenwich Tunnel and the Thames Barrier, which could take rather a long time!

“I’ll be accompanied on the walk by my wife, Vicky, my daughter, Becs, her husband, Tom, and my two grandchildren – which will be lovely.”

Andy is hoping to raise £15,000 for the two-day event via his Just Giving page, and is asking people to sign up and take part over September 17-18.