BURNHAM postman Mark Penfold set off on his emotional 500 mile walk from Edinburgh to London, inspired by his terminally ill grandson.

His grandson, 18-month-old Frankie, suffers from the life-limiting Mitochondrial Disease, which affects the central nervous system and has no known cure.

Fifty-year-old Mark is taking on the task to raise money for The Lily Foundation, funds research to improve diagnosis and increase treatment options for Mitochondrial Disease, and ultimately find a cure.

The walk also coincides with the Royal Mail's 500th anniversary, and the 500 mile route follows one of the oldest postal routes in the UK from London to Edinburgh.

Mark has already raised £10,000 and the Royal Mail has agreed to match the funding up to £20,000.

"Frankie has a rare form of mitochondrial disease. It is a life-limiting illness that gets progressively worse and there is no time scale. All we know is that the time with Frankie is precious and as a family we are all trying to build as many memories as we can with him and surround him with love."

Everyday Frankie bravely has physio to try and strengthen his head, co-ordinate his limbs and gain strength. He only drinks high calorie milk as he is unable to swallow any proper food.

Mark will be supported by family, friends and colleagues throughout the walk with Royal Mail and Communications Workers Union (CWU) providing all support and supplies.

"The support from the local community has been phenomenal. I have 561 calls on my route and I know nearly every one of them," Mark said.

"I have support from local schools, businesses and my customers. There have been bric and brac sales, garden parties, people have gone door to door with sponsorship forms for me, it has been amazing and really gives me a lift going into this challenge."

The Burnham postie will be walking around 20 miles a day, finishing by crossing Tower Bridge on Saturday, June 18 and finishing at the Guild Hall in London, where he will join Royal Mail’s 500 year celebrations in the Capital.

To find out more about Mitochondrial Disease go to www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk and to donate sponsor Mark head to www.sponsorme.co.uk/markpenfold.