A PERSONAL trainer from York is pulling on his walking shoes for a year-long challenge for charity in memory of his parents, and is inviting local people to join him.

Graham Kavanagh, of Dale Street, off Nunnery Lane, will take on Dick Turpin’s Dog Walk in York every morning for a year, starting on February 1.

At 7am each day, he will walk the two-mile circular route, starting and ending at Clifford's Tower.

It is the alleged route that highwayman Dick Turpin walked with his dog, and takes between 45 minutes and an hour, Graham said.

The 45-year-old is walking in honour of his mum Marilyn, who died in 2015 after a battle with myeloma, a type of cancer, and dad Donald, who died the following year after suffering from another form of cancer, mesothelioma, which is believed to have been caused by asbestos.

He is raising funds for Myeloma UK and Mesothelioma UK.

Graham, who runs his own personal training business called Graham Fit, said: "I wanted to do something positive.

"I looked online and came across this walk.

"This is really unique. I wanted to do something for both charities, something for both my mum and dad.

"I also want to help fund research to help find a cure for these cancers one day and raise awareness."

He added: "The idea is that anyone who wants to turn up can join me for the walk.

"I hope it raises thousands."

Those who turn up at 7am to walk with Graham are asked to donate £1, with all the money collected by Graham during the challenge going to the two charities.

Graham said the walk includes a couple of flights of steps and is only suitable for able-bodied walkers.

Dick Turpin’s Dog Walk takes in numerous streets around the city centre. From Clifford's Tower, walkers should go across the car park towards Merchantgate and then make their way along Fossgate, Colliergate, St Andrewgate, Bartle Garth, College Street and go past the Minster via Minster Yard.

They then have to walk along High Petergate, St Leonard's Place, Museum Street, cross Lendal Bridge, go down the steps onto Wellington Row, walk by the river and then over Ouse Bridge and head down the steps onto King's Staith. They then have to go along South Esplanade, onto Tower Place before arriving back at Clifford's Tower.