Miles all round on Adam's walk!

An East Devon man has set himself the challenge of walking all 630 miles of the South West Coast Path to raise funds for a charity that helps children in Guatemala.

Adam Burgess, from Farway, volunteered with the Phoenix Projects in 2007-8, where he taught children in a variety of subjects.

“I experienced first-hand what difference a little money and a lot of dedication can make to children living in poverty,” he said.

The project gives an education to local children who would otherwise have no access to a school, and it has been so successful that some of the first groups of children through the system have begun teaching the next generation. 400 children are now benefitting from pre-school and primary education.

“The incredible work they’re doing has left an indelible mark on me. I always intended to raise funds for them, and when I turned 40 this year I decided it was the perfect reason,” explained Adam.

“I originally thought about running the London Marathon but the South West Coast Path presented itself as a challenge, and it’s right on the doorstep. I managed to put aside a month to complete the walk.”

Adam set off on September 2 from Dunster, where he was born. He plans to walk around 20 miles each day, with a few rest days planned into his gruelling schedule. Adam hopes to be joined along the way by family and friends, one of whom was also a volunteer with the Phoenix Project.

“I’m camping each night, and although I’m looking forward to seeing the whole of this beautiful coastline, I’m aware that the weather is likely to be unpredictable. So I’ve prepared myself mentally for some wet days and nights!”

Adam expects to finish his walk by the end of September. He has already raised over £1200 and hopes to reach £2000.

Follow Adam’s exploits on Twitter @run_the_phoenix.To donate, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraiser/adamwalksthecoastpath2014.