A son has taken on the challenge of walking the Pyrenees mountain range to give back to the hospice which cared for his mother.

Craig Jenkins, 49, has set himself the challenge of walking the 522 mile GR11 route that runs through the Spanish Pyrenees, to raise funds for St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood.

Craig set out on Sunday July 3 and the route takes an estimated 60 days to complete.

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Craig said: “Ever since I was with Mum in the Hospice, I have wanted to do some sort of challenge to fundraise for St Clare.

"Seven years after Mum’s death, I am finally hopefully fit enough to take on the huge challenge I have planned."

Epping Forest Guardian: Craig Jenkins at St Clare HospiceCraig Jenkins at St Clare Hospice

He added: “During July and August, I will attempt to hike solo across the top of the Pyrenees mountain range in Spain from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

“One of the biggest challenges is the elevation change, ascending and descending a total of 128,000ft which is the equivalent of climbing up and down Mount Everest six times.

“I will be carrying everything I need on my back, including a tent, sleeping bag, cooking stove and food, and stopping at small mountain villages every three or four days for supplies.

“I eat a strict vegan diet, so finding supplies in remote Spanish villages adds another layer of difficulty for me.”

Epping Forest Guardian: Craig Jenkins with his mother LindaCraig Jenkins with his mother Linda

Craig is raising funds in memory of his mother, Linda Jenkins, who was cared for by St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood in 2015.

Craig’s mother, Linda, attended the hospice charity’s wellbeing hub for day services, as well as receiving care on the inpatient unit, before her death from a brain tumour on December 9, 2015.

Craig added: “St Clare Hospice is an amazing charity with incredible staff who provide end of life care for terminally ill people.

Epping Forest Guardian: Craig Jenkins on a walkCraig Jenkins on a walk

“In 2015 I used to take my mum to their weekly day centre and then towards the end she spent 14 days in their 24hr specialist support ward.

“St Clare Hospice is an independent charity with limited government funding, and with your help I want to do what I can to help support them.”