A grandad who walked 102 miles around the Isle of Man to raise money for the hospital treating his granddaughter says his ordeal was ‘nothing’ compared with what she has endured.

Paul Turner took on the challenge for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where his 11-year-old granddaughter Imogen has received treatment for a brain tumour since she was just two.

‘When we first got that news, the rug was pulled from under our legs,’ Paul said.

Imogen has been treated at Alder Hey and The Christie hospital in Manchester, and was also transferred to Essen in Germany for proton beam therapy.

After returning from Germany, she underwent yearly check-ups and reached the milestone of being eight years clear.

But during a routine check-up, the family received the devastating news that the tumour had returned.

Paul, an Isle of Man Creamery tanker driver who normally spends his working days collecting milk from farms, decided to visit them in a very different way to raise money for the hospital.

He began his challenge on August 4 with the southern route before tackling the north on August 8.

During the first part of his challenge, Paul spent 17 hours walking almost 80km, visiting 10 farms and clocking up around 100,000 steps.

He then travelled to the UK to collect Imogen, who had been receiving treatment at Alder Hey, before returning home for the final stage.

On August 15, Paul reached the final farm, Begoade Moar in Baldrine, before heading back towards the creamery.

But one person was waiting to make sure he did not finish alone.

Imogen, who had completed her treatment the previous day, joined her grandad for the final stretch, with the pair walking hand in hand back to the creamery.

‘That was a really amazing moment for me,’ Paul said. ‘I was crying going down that driveway back to the Creamery.

‘I may still have sore feet from my walk, but what I’ve gone through is nothing compared to Imogen.’

Paul had initially hoped to raise £1,500, but more than £4,000 has now been donated to Alder Hey.

And he is not finished yet.

On September 8, when Imogen is due to undergo another operation, Paul plans to walk from the Isle of Man Creamery to Alder Hey.

He will walk to the Steam Packet, continue walking while on board the vessel and then head on foot to the hospital after arriving in the UK.

‘Hopefully by the time I get to Alder Hey, she’ll be out of theatre,’ he said. ‘Then we can both present the final cheque to Alder Hey.’

For Paul, however, the miles and sore feet remain secondary to what his granddaughter has faced.

His next walk will once again be centered on Imogen - and reaching the hospital where she will be waiting for him.

For more information about Paul’s fundraiser or to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/abigail-louise-faragher-2