PEOPLE in the Black Country have been urged to help support a dedicated fundraiser raising money for his tragic son.

Chris Gibbs was due to set off from Stourbridge railway station at 11am today Monday (October 12) on the latest leg of his 300-mile sponsored walk.

He is raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital in memory of his son Thiago who died of a rare heart condition aged just nine months.

Midlands man Chris said: "I'm walking 300-miles from Eastbourne to Stoke-on-Trent.

"Originally, I aimed to raise £10,000 but we're now at £18,000 which is incredible. We'd love it if Black Country people could support us through just saying hello as we walk or by chipping in with a donation which they can do online."

Chris arrived in Stourbridge on Saturday (October 10) when he walked from Birmingham via Cradley and his route was today taking him from the town onto Wolverhampton then onto Cannock.

He said: "When I first planned this it was well before the pandemic so we've had to adjust our plans and stay socially distant. But the cause is a good one and I know it's one close to the hearts of Black Country people as the hospital I'm raising money for treats many children from the area."

The walker's son Thiago was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 2018 but passed away at the Birmingham Children's Hospital after treatment for pulmonary stenosis failed.

Chris decided to walk from the family home in Eastbourne to Thiago's birthplace at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent to raise money in his son's memory.

He is also writing a blog inthenameofthiago.co.uk to share his experience as a grieving father and wants to turn his experience into a book.

To donate to the appeal go to virginmoneygiving.co.uk/ChrisGibbs9