Tobias got in touch with Heartburn Cancer UK back in February to let us know he intended to complete this epic challenge and, to be brutally honest, we thought he was joking at first!  

However, only a couple of months down the line, we are delighted and incredibly grateful that Tobias has chosen to support us and local Shropshire charity, Severn Hospice in this remarkable way to raise funds and awareness of both causes. 

Sadly, a couple of Tobias' close friends have been impacted by cancer in recent years with a one losing her father to oesophageal cancer in May 2022 and another to a different cancer. 

Tobias starts his iconic walk from Lands End in Cornwall to John O'Groats on Tuesday 16th May and he will be walking the over 1100 miles route by himself.  And if the challenge wasn't tough enough, he plans to sleep under the stars in a 'bivvy bag' along the way, with only the occasional night in a B&B or hotel.  

It's the prime time for the teenager to embark on this adventure as Tobias has taken the year out to travel before starting at University in September.

"Two of my oldest friends have lost fathers to cancer. They were both in the military and so it seemed appropriate to attempt a particularly demanding feat and support these two worthwhile charities."

Tobias originally set himself a target of £10,000 but due to the amazing donations received so far he has increased it to £16,000.  The funds raised on Tobias' Go Fund Me page will be divided equally between both HCUK and Severn Hospice. To help him reach his target, Tobias is encouraging donors to challenge him even further along his journey with suggestions of added dares such as milking a cow to kissing a pensioner! 

To support Tobias some of the Heartburn Cancer UK team will be joining him for a day of trekking when he is passing through somewhere between Somerset to South Gloucester.

We will, of course, keep you updated on his progress but you can follow Tobias on his amazing journey on his dedicated Instagram page.

You can hear Tobias talking to BBC Shropshire about his challenge here and also more recently here (go to 39m08s to hear Tobias being interviewed by Mary-Kate Wheeldon).

Photo credits to the Shropshire Star, many thanks!