Not to walk all the way I was giving up

and it’s been very tough, but how can I quit when I see what all those people go through when they have chemo and radiotherapy? There was no chance of me giving up. When it got tough, they drove me on.

“It’s been the best thing I’ve ever done too and I’m sure in the long term this will mean the charity will be able to help many more people.”

Being able to do just six miles of the walk gave me an even bigger appreciation of what Mark had achieved.

If walking 276 miles didn’t sound gruelling enough, there’s things you don’t automatically think about such as the weather and the roads travelled on.

They weren’t clear paths and walkways, but rather roadsides and uneven grass verges. As I discovered in my six miles, they weren’t comfortable for the feet.

Then consider that for large parts of his journey he was alone. My six miles involved me, Mark and two others. The chit-chat made the walking seem easier. Take that away and your own thoughts are all you’re left with.

Still, Mark completed the trek and had many people to thank for it. Friend Rachel Pascall walked more than 100 miles in the final week with him in memory of her father.

Support from Lauren Beattie, who organised hotels and routes for each day, and Gary Jones, who transported his bags from hotel to hotel made it possible.

Then there were gifts from people as he went. One day someone pulled alongside him with bacon sandwiches. While I walked with him another lady stopped with a bag full of water and sweet treats.

Mark is already back to work with his charity, despite still healing the wounds and the aches and pains that come from the walk. He lost more than a stone in weight during his time on the road.

One of the defining things of Mark’s charity is its community spirit.

He set it up a little over two years ago after raising a record amount for a white-collar boxing fight. He was inspired after losing his own mother to cancer at a young age.

He found then that the family doesn’t get much support in those difficult times and he aims to change that.

He always remains at the forefront, visiting families and being the first point of contact. The charity also offer things such as professional massages and wigs as well as legal help.

His aim is to try to provide help for people and families suffering in any way he possibly can so they can enjoy what little time they might Mark’s achievement was recognised by Spennymoor’s mayor have as best they can. He hopes the walk will provide exposure for his charity’s work.

“We’ve had a lot of interest because I’m doing this, and that’s why I’ve done it.

“The charity isn’t Lottery-funded so we rely on donations and a lot of the help we give to families costs money.

“So hopefully now more people will know who we are and know what we do. They’ll know we’re there if they’re in a position where they need help too. But donations are crucial. Without couldn’t keep going.

“The great thing about this charity is it’s all in this community and people can see at first hand the work we do and I always want it to be that way.”

For more information or to show your support, visit www. teamsolan.org.uk. You can donate at JustGiving by searching for Mark Solan or pop into the boutique store on Spennymoor High Street where Mark is often found during the week. A young Mark with his mum , who died of cancer in 1996 at 42 them we