A PENYCAE man will be quitting his job at the end of next year in order to embark on the journey of a lifetime in the USA to raise money for a children's hospice.

Paul Edwards garnered attention in July of this year when he completed the JOGLE (John O'Groats to Lands End, a distance of 971 miles) and collected nearly £16,000 in aid of Hope House children's hospice in Oswestry.

He did so whilst dressed as Deadpool in honour of Ryan Reynolds (and Rob McElhenney's) takeover of his beloved Wrexham AFC.

Now, he is preparing himself for his next big challenge, which will be like no other.

In January 2023, 56-year-old Paul will be walking completely solo from Ocean Beach on the Pacific Coast in San Diego, California, across America to finish approximately 3,000 miles and 5 months later at Myrtle Beach on the Atlantic Coast in South Carolina.

Training for this journey, once again in aid of Hope House, has already began.

Paul said: "It's a great boost when people wave and beep as they pass me!

"I have been doing marathons and ultramarathon fundraising events for various local charities for two decades but I have been focusing my attention on the Hope House for the last few years.

"Three years ago I stopped doing the organised events as charity fundraisers and decided on the individual/solo challenges that I am now known for, in fact, his will be my fourth solo and unsupported challenge for Hope House.

"I have previously completed the amazing 640 miles Scotland to Wales walk including the National 3 peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon on the way and raised £9,618.

"I have run over 100 marathons and ultramarathons on all types of terrain from mountains to deserts to athletic tracks. I have run in Australia, Europe and Africa. Last year I walked from the Principality Stadium Cardiff to the Racecourse Ground Wrexham, a distance of 150.8miles.

"In September last year I finished an incredibly tough event in America called the Grand2Grand Ultra, which is a 171miles multi-stage ultra running event. It starts at the North rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and finishes at the top of Bryce Canyon in Utah.

"My reason for choosing the Hope House childrens hospice is, although I don't have any children myself, I believe that when you have a poorly child or young adult, it must be the worst pain you can experience. I have seen the wonderful work done by the hospice staff both for the children and their families, the care given to the families is unconditional, it's there for as long as it's needed. I think all who work there are wonderful."

Paul, who currently works as a machinist, said: "I am having to give up my job to do the walk across America. I am committing myself completely to making it work.

"I will be finishing my job in December of next year, as I start the walk across America in January 2023 and it will take 5 months to complete."