A DEVOTED grandfather is embarking on a 150-mile trek later this month to raise money for the charity which helped save the life of his young grandson.

Thorpe Edge resident Muppett –who changed his name by deed poll – will walk along the 150-mile route from Hessle to Whitby in aid of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation.

This is the eighth year he will be completing an endurance challenge to raise money for the charity.

Muppett chose the charity as it helped save the life of his eight-year-old grandson Amos, who was born with a rare liver condition known as Billary Atresia.

When Amos was just nine weeks old, he had to undergo a seven-hour life-saving operation, and although it was successful, it is likely Amos will still need to have a liver transplant at some point in the future.

Billary Atresia is a rare condition in newborn babies where the common bile duct between the liver and small intestine becomes blocked.

Only about 50 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year and the cause is unknown. If unrecognised, it leads to fatal liver damage.

Muppett said: “A number of people told me about the Yorkshire Wolds, and it is an area I haven’t explored.

“At Easter I had a quick look and thought it looked like a nice area, but it wasn’t long enough for my walks.

“I always finish my walks in Whitby, it’s like my spiritual home, so just extended the route up the East Coast.

“It will be a walk of contrasts, with the hillsides if the Wolds and the cliffs and beaches of the coast.

“I’m just hoping this nice weather stays until I have finished my walk, I’m a bit worried it might break! But there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!

“Amos is doing brilliantly, at his last check-up his liver was really holding up.

“Some children are not always as lucky as him. To look at him you wouldn’t think he has anything wrong with him, he is climbing trees and is just a normal eight-year-old child, but he still has regular check-ups every six months.”

Muppett will start his eight-day trek under the Humber Bridge in Hessle on Saturday, June 21, before heading off into the Yorkshire Wolds before arriving in Bridlington, at which point he will head along the East Coast before arriving in Whitby eight days later.

The 59-year-old, who works for Manningham Lane-based charity CNet, has raised thousands of pounds over the past eight years on various walks and also by holding other fundraising events.

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Last year, he walked 200 miles from Bowness on Windermere to Whitby in nine days, walking the entire length of the Dales Way and Ebor Way, as well as sections of the Coast to Coast walk and the Esk Valley Way. He has also held a number of music nights and yellow-themed events in aid of the charity.

The first leg is 28 miles from Hessle to Shiptonthorpe, followed the next day by a 15-mile walk to Huggate. From there, Muppett will walk 21 miles to Rillington, followed by a 12-mile walk to Ganton and then a 17-mile trek to Bridlington.

The longest walk of the effort follows, a 32-mile walk from Bridlington to Scarborough via Flamborough Head, which is followed by a 15-mile walk to Boggle Hole.

Muppett will then complete his 150 mile trek with a 10-mile last leg which comes to an end when he reaches Whitby on Saturday, July 28.

To donate, contact Muppett directly by emailing muppett@cnet.org.uk, or go to justgiving.com/M-Uppett5