An Ashford dad, well known for his fundraising challenges, is walking 41 race courses across the UK to raise money for charity.

Gary Kirton, known locally as Gazza, from Park Farm set himself the task to support a cancer charity set up by his friend and former steeplechase jockey Bob Champion who famously won the Grand National in 1981 after fighting the disease.

Mr Kirton and Mr Champion became friends through lockdown when Mr Kirton started hosting online race nights every Friday which he continues today.

Through the venture, so far he has raised more than £14,000 for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust but hopes to add to this total with his latest challenge.

The 58-year-old will walk 41 racecourses to represent the number of years it has been since Mr Champion won the Grand National on horse Aldaniti.

He started on January 3 in Lingfield Park and so far he has walked 14 courses.

He hopes to take on point-to-points in Aldington and Charing next weekend.

Mr Kirton said: "I used to do a lot of fundraising but I retired in 2019 after 25 years. Lockdown set it all off again.

"I do shows every Friday night and I got to know Bob Champion through it and he joins me every week now as part of the team.

"To me this is massive, I have always loved horse racing so this is a bit of a whirlwind, full of exciting times.

"Bob gives me plenty of support. He will be joining me on some walks."

The final stop on Mr Kirton's list will be the Grand National Aintree racecourse in Liverpool which he hopes to walk in December.

Mr Champion's battle with cancer was turned into a film called Champions with John Hurt in 1984.

It showed how he battled the disease and made a miraculous recovery before going on to win the Grand National.

This year's edition of the famous race will be held this afternoon.

So far Mr Kirton, who works for the Pilgrims Hospice in Ashford, has raised more than £6,000 through his challenge.

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