Chris nears end of journey to save Hasti

Major Chris Brannigan was joined on part of his leg from Jedburgh to Lauder by the equally-shoeless nine-year-old Declan McLean.

And, he found a heart-warming welcome on Monday as he crossed the border at Carter Bar, and praised the support of the people of Jedburgh.

Chris, an army major from West Byfleet in Sussex, is attempting the 700-mile journey barefoot, inspired by his daughter Hasti, who suffers from Cornelia de Lange syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

The Southern caught up with him as he headed past Ancrum on Tuesday on his penultimate day’s walk to Lauder.

Chris was piped into the region in style by Hawick's Allan Smith.

He told us why he is putting himself, and his feet, through such torment.

He said: “The thought of losing your daughter to a rare disease would keep any parent awake at night.

“It was the worst day of my life when we were told that she had this condition and there were no treatments. No parent should have to go through that.

“Hasti has lots of challenges in life because of the condition ... it affects her growth and she needs medication and therapies every day of her life.

“On this challenge we have raised almost £300,000 but we have raised in total over £500,000.”

The money will ensure Hasti and others with the condition can benefit from a new gene therapy for CDLS, being worked on now by Jackson Labs in the United States.

Chris said: “I’’d love to thank the lovely people of Jedburgh, for both an amazing reception and a wonderful send off.

“Scotland has been amazing ... even the roads are far better than in England.”

Search for #hopeforhasti to track his progress, and to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barefootacrossbritain