A FUNDRAISER who has undergone 10 open heart surgeries - five of them within just two weeks - is walking more than 120 miles to raise money for the charity that supported him while he was having treatment.

Matthew Cornick, from Weymouth, is walking 122.2 miles for Wessex Heartbeat, a charity supporting and caring for people being treated at the Wessex Cardiac Centre in Southampton.

Matthew was born with aortic stenosis which eventually lead to him needing replacement aortic and mitral valves and, as a result of complications during surgery, he is now has a pacemaker.

He has undergone 12 surgeries in total, including 10 open heart surgeries, five of which he had within two weeks when he was 17-years-old.

The now 27-year-old has chosen the very specific 122.2 mile distance as it is the exact mileage of the round trip from his home to Wessex Heartbeat's Heartbeat House, the 25-bedroom home which serves the families of those undergoing treatment at Southampton's cardiac centre. To stick to lockdown restrictions, Matthew is walking in and around Weymouth to complete the distance.

Matthew said: "I set myself this challenge as a way to give thanks to Wessex Heartbeat. My family has stayed at Heartbeat House on numerous occasions while I have had my surgeries and it served as a lifeline for us all.

"Knowing that there are so many families in the same situation as mine, I thought what better way to spend lockdown than to raise money for this important charity."

After being inspired by Matthew's story, Wessex Heartbeat is encouraging other Dorset residents to take party in their very own 'Walk to Heart Health' fundraiser as a way of raising money for the charity and keeping fit during lockdown.

John Munro, chief executive of Wessex Heartbeat, said: "We are always honoured to see our very own cardiac patients coming up with new ways to raise money for the charity and we couldn't be more proud of Matthew.

"To take part in the Walk to Heart Health fundraiser we are asking Dorset residents to walk to distance it would take between their home and Heartbeat House over the next few weeks.

"Not only is this a fantastic way to raise money for the charity but is a fantastic low-impact cardiac exercise which will help keep your heart healthy."

To donate to Matthew's fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthew-cornick1