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Bus driver to walk 12 routes for charity

Jim Scottin Sunderland
BBC/Jim Scott Bus driver Mark Jordison, who is wearing a chequered shirt, along with an open, yellow high visibility vest. He is standing in front of a Stagecoach single decker bus, which has a blue livery along with a white front which says Stagecoach. In the background is a charging unit for the electric fleet, and there are two blue Stagecoach buses parked in front of closed gates at the depot.BBC/Jim Scott
Bus driver Mark Jordison said his colleagues had "egged" him on

A bus driver who was diagnosed with cancer twice and hospitalised with Covid-19 is walking all 12 of the routes which leave from his depot for charity.

Mark Jordison, 54, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, set himself the challenge of walking more than 100 miles covered by each of the services operated by Stagecoach North East in Sunderland.

Many routes begin, or end, on Wearside but some will finish in South Shields and Newcastle up to 14 miles (22.5km) away. He aims to complete one every Saturday until 19 December.

Jordison, who is fundraising for Age UK, admitted it was "not an easy" challenge, but said he hoped he could make a difference.

Some of the routes are expected to take Jordison about three hours to complete at an average walking pace.

"I hoped but never thought I'd get this far, but with the want and the will of the people around me, it's brought me on," he said.

BBC/Jim Scott Mark Jordison, walking along a bridge with green railings in an Age UK-branded jersey and beanie hat. Walking next to him is a middle aged man with a shaved head and beard who is wearing shorts and a high-visibility jacket. They are talking and laughing.BBC/Jim Scott
He was joined by friends and family on Saturday's route

Jordison said he was "quite a fit lad" until 2017 when he had to have his gallbladder removed and shortly after was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

After recovering, he was diagnosed with cancer again, and then was hospitalised during the Covid-19 pandemic, with lasting effects which "really slows me down".

However, he said he was supported in doing the challenge by friends and colleagues.

"If you've got that mentality to get up and go, the get up and go of other people egging you on, it really helps."

BBC/Jim Scott Mark Jordison stood in a group with friends and family, who are mostly wearing sports clothing but dressed for colder weather. They all look towards the camera and smile, some with their arms around each other.BBC/Jim Scott
The challenge is raising money for Age UK

He completed his first walk on 3 October, recreating the 8.8-mile (14km) journey of service number three, which travels from Farringdon to Hylton Castle.

He said it was a surprise to see colleagues meeting him along the route, some providing "sustenance" to keep him going.

On Saturday, he set off on the number four route from Doxford Park to Downhill later, walking about 11 miles (17.7km).

His last journey, the X34 from Harton Nook to Newcastle, will be the longest and see him complete 14 miles (22.5km).

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