The long walk

Newport Pagnell postman Malcolm Underwood is planning a second attempt at a charity sponsored walk from Milton Keynes to…er, Cyprus?

Sixty-year-old Malcolm, who has been with the business for five years, set out on the gruelling 2,500 trek in March. But when Covid-19 arrived and borders across Europe started closing, he decided to postpone his dream challenge until next year, when he hopes to set off again on 1 March.

Malcolm’s epic march is due to take around four months and two weeks to complete - that’s 135 days of constant walking, a feat Malcolm believes will be worth every step as he raises funds for four charities close to his heart.

‘I lost both my parents to cancer and so I’ve always wanted to do something for Cancer Research UK,’ said Malcolm. ‘I came up with The Long Walk to Cyprus because I wanted to something challenging and Cyprus is a place I have been to many times and love dearly.

‘This is not just about my parents, it’s for everyone who has fought against cancer, whether they have lost, won or are still fighting the battle against this terrible disease, this is for them. For everyone who has beaten cancer, you have my utmost respect.’

Malcolm has been brushing up on his map reading skills as well as his European history as his journey will take him through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey before he finally makes it, perhaps a little worse for wear, to Cyprus.

‘I am also raising funds for the Alzheimer's Society, the RSPC and BBC Children in Need, so please help if you can. Thank you very much.’

If you would like to help Malcolm raise as much money as possible for his chosen charities, you can visit his fundraising page here.