A BURNHAM grandfather is walking from Edinburgh to London to raise money for a cause close to his heart.
Mark Penfold is fundraising for the Lily Foundation, after his 16 month old grandson was diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease.
This is a life limiting illness that affects the central nervous system and Mark is aiming to raise £20,000, with the support of his employer, Royal Mail.
Mark said: "Frankie has a rare form of Leigh's the disease which came about due to my son, Tom, and his girlfriend, Hannah, having the same faulty gene.
"It is a life limiting illness that affects the central nervous system and every case is different.
"The illness gets progressively worse and there is no timescale.
"All we know is that the time with Frankie is precious and as a family we are all trying to build as many memories as we can with him and surround him with love.
"Everyday Frankie bravely has physio to try and strengthen his head, co-ordinate his limbs and gain strength.
"He still only drinks high calorie milk as he is unable to swallow any proper food.
"He is waiting for an operation to have a gastro peg fitted."
Mark's walk will begin at the end of May and take three weeks to complete, coinciding with Royal mail's 500th anniversary.
A historic route will be followed, and Royal Mail have agreed to provide match funding of up to £20,000 for The Lily Foundation.
"In my heart I know there is a cure out there for mitochondrial disease," added Mark.
"We know it is caused by genetics and whatever form it presents itself in, the current outcome eventually causes heartache to families.
"Therefore, I am doing this walk from Edinburgh to London with the support of royal mail and the CWUwho have had a great deal of input and planning of this event.
"Without them this may not have been possible."
To donate and support Mark, visit http://www.sponsorme.co.uk/markpenfold" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;