British Dad Walks 700 Miles Barefoot To Collect Money For Sick Daughter's Treatment
By
Samantha in
Heartbreaking
On 24th August 2020
In an effort to give his daughter a chance to live her life, this man walked 700 miles barefoot to collect money for his daughter's illness. Per his JustGiving page, eight-year-old Hasti was born with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a genetic condition that impact's the sufferer's physical, intellectual, and behavioral well-being."
Chris, 40, became the 'Barefoot Soldier,' and walked 700 miles to Edinburgh Castle on after setting off from Land's End in July, all with a 25kg pack on his back.
#1
How far one goes for their loved ones? It is believed that nothing in this world can replace a parents' love for their child. It is the purest form of love. One that can never be replaced. Parents are the only one who genuinely loves their kids. Worrying about their each and every need and making sure to fulfill their dreams going great lengths in life without any complaint.
This story of a dad who walked 700 miles (1126.5km) barefoot across the UK in an effort to raise funds for daughter Hasti will break your heart and at the same time, it will make your heart swell with pride for a parent's pure love for his child.
#2
Chris Brannigan is a major in British arm and a doting father who loves his daughter to moon and back. The man walked this long distance for his daughter's sake.
According to his JustGiving page, eight-year-old Hasti was born with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a genetic condition that impact's the sufferer's physical, intellectual, and behavioral well-being.
The page description adds:
"Hasti is eight and she dreams of being a chef or a dancer when she grows up, but she also has a rare genetic condition which currently has no treatment or cure! I am doing this challenges to raise the funds needed to create a gene therapy treatment to change her fate and to give her the future she deserves."
#3
Chris has set up charity CdLS Hope For Hasti, back in March to raise funds for the research and development of a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment for children suffering from CdLS.
"The total cost is £400,000 ($524,000). We are running out of time to raise the money as mental decline will start at puberty, and that is not far away for Hasti," Chris writes.
#4
Chris, 40, in an effort to give his daughter a chance to life became 'Barefoot Soldier', and walked 700 miles to Edinburgh Castle on after setting off from Land's End in July, all with a 25kg pack on his back.
#5
Chris managed to complete his across-the-country walk - cheered on in every town he stepped foot in. This journey though was no easy one as Chris suffered from painful blisters. During the journey, Chris was even hospitalized for three days after suffering an infection in his feet. But in spite of this, he continued to walk.
Instagram
#6
When he arrived at Edinburgh Castle, Chris was greeted with a big hug from Hasti. Writing on Facebook, Chris said that "this moment" made it all worth it. He wrote:
"This moment. Right here. Worth every single heavy, painful step.
"Feeling like every step up that hill towards the finish line was getting harder and harder, when suddenly she came running out of the sunlight and right into my arms and I instantly knew I would do it all again for her.
"700 miles done, 35 days walking, blood, sweat and tears. Thank you for giving me hope for Hasti. "
Instagram
#7
In an update to his post, Chris revealed that his feet are now injured at the point that they may never return to normal. "Even though the feet are blistered, bruised, swollen, cut up and may never fully return to normal, I am thankful that they carried me the whole length of this 700 mile journey. And I am sure they will be thankful to never walk again... and for the pampering sessions that they will be receiving from here on out!"
In total, Chris' agonizing journey took 38 days to complete (after spending three days in hospital), with him arriving in Edinburgh on August 13.
On his JustGiving page alone, he has raised nearly £370,000 ($484,600), as of this writing.
We wish Hasti and Chris all the luck for their journey ahead!