A fundraiser has walked across the South Downs in support of the fight to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Barnardo’s staff member, Leethen Bartholomew, from Leytonstone put his best foot forward on August 25 when he walked 55km from Eastbourne.

The trek raised money for the National FGM Centre, which is run by the children’s charity and the Local Government Association to help end new cases in the UK.

Mr Bartholomew joined Barnardo’s supporters Helen Tiffany, Mark Tiffany, Claire Round and Amanda Davie on the challenge and together they are on the way to reaching their fundraising target of £10,000.

He said: “We wanted to help raise funds for the Centre, which aims to end new cases of FGM by 2030 and to safeguard children from other harmful practices.

"This was the first time I’ve done such a challenge, it was hard work, but the team pulled together and we managed to complete the course in 15 hours and 14 mins."

For more information on FGM, visit www.nationalfgmcentre.org.uk and to donate go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leethen-bartholomew-fgm