A musician from Blandford Forum will be walking from Blandford Forum to Margate by way of Salisbury, supporting the mental health charity the Brave and Determined Company (BadCo).

Dan Baker, 50, will be embarking on the 208-mile trek on Wednesday, May 22, with Salisbury being the first stop before the next waypoint of Winchester.

Dan plans to make the journey in just nine days, with a goal of raising at least £5k. Donations can be made through his JustGiving page, texting the word “Brave” to 70470 to automatically donate £5 or texting the word “Bad” to 70085 with the desired figure in pounds to donate a custom amount.

Salisbury Journal: Dan Baker holding his 14 Ordnance Survey maps.Dan Baker holding his 14 Ordnance Survey maps. (Image: Dan Baker)

SEE ALSO: Green Man Parade in Burley revived after 175 years

Dan said he first began supporting BadCo last year with his friend, Tim Piper, who has lost two children to suicide.

Dan said: “He got involved with the charity, and then we did a few gigs to fundraise, and I thought I'd do my thing too.”

Dan has a total of 14 paper Ordnance Survey Explorer maps to help him traverse the route of his journey and has been training for carrying the weight of his backpack. On Wednesday, May 15, he filled it with six milk cartons to simulate the fully loaded weight he will have to carry (although one carton started leaking).

Dan said: “If I can save one life by walking to the far east of Kent, the whole thing will have been beyond worthwhile. I’ve also got the bug for long-distance walks.”