Charity founder takes pit stop in Sunderland during 7,000 mile walk

Brian Burnie, 76, founder of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, has started the last 50-mile leg of his mega charity walk across Great Britain and Ireland in Middlesbrough.

And on Saturday, September 19, he will arrive at the Tommy Statue in Seaham at 10am, before continuing his trek to The National Glass Centre in Sunderland.

The pensioner began his charity walk at Newcastle’s Quayside in March 2018 to promote free cancer patient transport.

Brian, who has Parkinson’s Disease, will finish his trip at the Baltic in Gateshead on Wednesday, September 23.

Throughout his walk, he has visited NHS cancer centres and hospitals promoting the charity, with the aim of creating one million free patient hospital journeys nationwide.

Mr Burnie said: “On my walk I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people, many with direct experience of cancer and the daily challenge of getting to and from hospital.

"This issue effects so many patients regardless of where they live.

“The feedback I’ve received from cancer centres all over the country, has been incredible.”

The Newcastle-based charity offers staffed custom-made vehicles to transport outpatients who are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy cancer treatment, free of charge, to and from hospital with a fleet of more than 30 ambulances.

The 76-year-old, who has been supported on the challenge by his wife Cheryl, has been walking five to six miles each day accompanied by friends, supporters and well wishers.

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