A CHARITY fundraiser known as Run Geordie Run today (Sunday, May 1) begins the next stage of his bid to run around the world.

Software developer Mark Allison has set himself the challenge of running 20,000 miles and has already conquered the USA and Australia.

Today he embarked on the punishing 3,400 miles across Europe to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children’s Foundation.

Mr Allison, formerly of Shotley Bridge, who now lives in Bedlington, is running through 14 countries and includes the Pyrenees and Alps mountain ranges, 15 Tour de France climbs and one Giro d'Italia climb.

He said: “The start of the run across Europe promises to be the most difficult of any of the four segments around the world run so far.

“After dipping my toes in the Atlantic Ocean and running across Guincho Beach, I’ll need to run 10 miles up and over the Sintra Mountains in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.

“I'll reach the parish of Silveira, 37 miles north of the start line, at the end of day one.”

The feedback Mark is receiving from people in Portugal, where Sir Bobby Robson managed both FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon (between 1992-1996), has been fantastic.

He said: “The local people in Lisbon have been very welcoming.

“Everyone I've spoken to so far remembers Sir Bobby's time at Sporting Lisbon and Porto. It was interesting to hear one lady's account of a curse that he allegedly placed over rivals Benfica.

“I subsequently found out that it was actually Hungarian coach, Bela Guttmann, who stated that “not in a hundred years from now will Benfica win a European Cup."

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has made a donation, especially in the last few days."

To support him, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/rungeordierun.