155-mile canal trek after life-saving operation

Kian Hydon, 15, Sean Cordon, 29, and Thomas Williams, 37, during their walk along the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London, all in aid of Crohn's & Colitis UK

A former sign-fitter who had to give up his job before having a life-saving operation to remove 90 per cent of his colon has walked 155 miles along the Grand Union Canal.

Sean Cordon, 29, from Chaulden, was diagnosed with colitis – a condition which causes inflammation of the colon lining – in 2009.

In March last year, he was admitted to hospital for life-saving surgery and is now awaiting reconstructive surgery, which if successful will enable him to live a normal life again.

To raise awareness of the condition and also raise cash for Crohn’s and Colitis UK, Sean and two friends – Kian Hydon, 15, and Thomas Williams, 37 – walked from Birmingham New Street to Mile End in London along the canals in just four days.

The trio camped overnight and clocked up between 30 to 50 miles each day. When they passed through Hemel, family and friends were waiting to greet them with banners and a BBQ, before they finished their last leg to London.

Sean, who is now training to be a bus driver, said: “I was wheelchair-bound for two months last year and I was really ill in hospital. It’s completely changed my life and I’ve had a lot of support.”

Sean has raised more than £400 on Just Giving and more in a collection at his local pub, the Tudor Rose.

Click here to donate online.