A FATHER has completed a 25-mile hike with friends, raising more than £1,000 for Basingstoke hospital's neonatal care unit.

Dave Stewart-White, 52, along with friends Ryan Ingram, 52, Andy Butler, 41, and son, Ethan White, 20, hiked across the South Downs on April 20 to raise funds for the Basingstoke and North Hants Hospital special care baby unit.

The group says the money raised will go towards providing breast pumps for the hospital, a vital resource, of which the neonatal unit currently needs four.

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The cause is close to Dave's heart as he has 'personally experienced the impact of their work' when both of his sons were born five and six weeks early.

Dave said: "I am grateful for what they did in those first weeks of their lives, and I am doing what I still can to support their work."

The route taken by the group saw them begin in Lewes, before making the steep climb to the South Downs, dropping into Alfriston for a break, and continuing to the 'dreaded' Seven Sisters - a series of cliffs, and finishing in Eastbourne.

"I know I would have really struggled to get to the end without those guys there, as I’ve got stage 4 kidney failure, but Ryan’s witty anecdotes and Andy’s all-round positivity, along with seeing my son Ethan keeping going when his hamstring was causing him pain, just kept me going mentally," added Dave.

"That was the key: we all supported each other over the hike in our own ways and I think that’s what’s been the key for all the challenges we’ve taken on."

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In addition to raising money for the hospital, Dave says the walk was equally about raising awareness about men's mental health, saying that walking has had a 'huge impact on my way of thinking about life'.

Dave continued: "I know there’s still a societal view of men being “men” and being strong and stable etc, but it’s not a bad thing or a sign of weakness to say you’re having a bad time or that you need help, it’s a sign of strength that you’re able to do that."

The positive impact of walking has inspired Dave to start his own 'Man Club', where he and groups of friends will meet regularly to walk and 'just chat about anything we want'.

He emphasised that "you're never alone, there's always someone who will listen".

The group has currently raised £1,085 out of their target, including gift aid. 

To support their fundraising, visit: justgiving.com/page/chalky-1701243568182.