A STUDENT is preparing to walk the length and breadth of Britain after being inspired by the plight of a girl with a rare heart and lung disease.

David Cuthbertson, from Billingham, plans to tab - a mixture of running and walking - the length of Hadrian's Wall before walking 1,000 miles from John O'Groats to Lands End, in May.

The 19-year-old is raising money for seven-year-old Jasmin Adam, who suffers from Eisenmengers Pulmonary Hypertension.

The condition could leave Jasmin, also from Billingham, needing a transplant.

Inspired by the plight of Jasmin, a family friend, David will donate the cash raised from his 40-day trip to the Children's Heart Unit Fund, based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

David, a student at Darlington College of Technology, said: "Jasmin is a lovely little girl and I just wanted to do something for her.

"Jasmin attends a mainstream school but gets very tired easily and can black out.

"She sleeps in an oxygenated room, is on special medication and needs a stair lift and buggy to get around."

Her mother Melissa, 31, said: "It is like she is walking on a treadmill even when she is still. For all that, she is very sensible and knows to sit down when she feels tired.

"She is very clever and she never moans or talks about her condition. We don't know what the future holds and just hope, in time, they will find a cure."

To increase the amount of money he raises, David will tackle the 40-day event on his own, carrying everything he needs in his 60lb rucksack and will sleep in the open.

Anyone interested in making a donation, can contact David on 07708 764777.