Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well. The handicap of walking barefoot had taken its toll, and at one point he resorted to crutches. Chris Brannigan (40) finished the agonising journey at Edinburgh Castle around 5.30pm on Wednesday. An army major from Co Down had an emotional reunion with his family after walking 700 miles barefoot to fund research into his young daughter’s rare illness. Cheered on by droves of supporters along the way, more than £316,000 has been raised in the effort so far. His eight-year-old daughter Hasti lives with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), a serious genetic condition which is potentially life-limiting and can get dramatically worse from puberty.

It'll be the last opportunity to see her at sea until 2023, It's due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the community and in the hospital, They have issued a new appeal following the incident on Monday, The 450kg haul was hidden in the boat's cargo, The firm is extending its normal winter shutdown by over two months, Adrian Cieslik died at Derriford Hospital two months after the attack by Anthony Brinton in January. Chris will reach Plymouth today (9 July) after travelling all the way from Land's End. © BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, 'Treasure trove' of motorbikes found in Co Antrim barn, Coronavirus Northern Ireland: We cannot keep shutting country down, says Foster as new support for businesses announced, Ex-UVF man Bobby Mathieson on his path to redemption: 'I told myself I was evil, that I'd be better off dead but God saved me', Face of 'MI5 spy' behind sting on dissident republicans, I will keep his spirit alive for our two boys, says partner of former GAA star Johnny Curran, The Belfast Telegraph is a member of IPSO and subscribes to its Editors' Code of Practice, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BarefootAcrossBritain.

He and Hasti’s mother, Hengameh, do not know how her condition will manifest itself in years to come. Hasti's condition, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), causes reduced growth, global developmental delay, feeding problems, speech and language difficulties, hearing problems and, in many cases, limb abnormalities. Mrs Brannigan, an IT worker at the British Council, said: “It was so hard knowing something was wrong, but not receiving a diagnosis for so long – when we found out there was no treatment our hearts broke. The family aim to raise and initial £400,000, with a final goal of £2.5m to provide treatment for Hasti and others with life-limiting conditions. We just want Hasti to be able to have the opportunities all other children have.”. The so-called Barefoot Soldier was making his way, one painful step at a time, towards Yorkshire as part of a trek from Land’s End to Edinburgh to fund research into the rare genetic condition that afflicts his daughter. But he said: “When the pain and exhaustion gets too much and I want to give up, I just remember why I’m doing this. @RadioPlymNews, Chris Brannigan arrives in Plymouth today as he continues his trek across Britain to find Hope for Hasti. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country. The family us urging the Government to review the National Framework for Rare Disease, and to invest in research and earlier diagnosis to give hope to people affected. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. Chris Brannigan (40) finished the agonising journey at Edinburgh Castle around 5.30pm on Wednesday having set off from Land’s End in Cornwall on July 6. Sections, Army Major Chris Brannigan and daughter Hasti, Allan Preston Twitter