Walk to Rome raises funds for injured troops

A Christian man has set off on a long trek to Rome to hand deliver a letter to the Pope and raise funds for Britain's injured troops.

Andrew Bruce, 50, set off on the 2,000km walk last Thursday after a service at St Paul's Cathedral presided over by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres.

Mr Bruce is hoping to raise £100,000 for the Help the Heroes charity and will hand deliver a letter written by Bishop Chartres to the Pope.

The letter reads: "We are grateful to your holiness for receiving our heroic friend, Andrew Bruce, who has made pilgrimage from our cathedral church of St Paul to the papal basilica of St Peter for the sake of that most excellent gift of charity and we pray, Most Holy Father, for your blessing upon him and all whom he represents."

The bishop blessed Mr Bruce's journey on the steps of the cathedral before he headed across the Millennium Bridge in central London, accompanied by bagpipers.

The walk will take him three months at an average of 23 miles per day.

Mr Bruce will be tweeting his progress from @andrewebruce

Donations can be made at www.bmycharity.com