A Macclesfield man has completed his immense 500 mile walk from Macclesfield to Paris and raised almost £20,000.

Henry Moores has raised £17,000 more than his original target and his challenge has made him a nationwide phenomenon as he covered the distance seven days faster than expected.

Last month, the Buxton Road resident set out on his walk hoping to raise money for those most desperate this Christmas.

The former retail worker, who lives in east Macclesfield, has received over 1300 donations to his charity crowdfunder. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

He said: "I didn't expect to make so much money along the way. The support I got was great and so was the experience."

"There will be memories to last me a lifetime and new friends to last me a lifetime."

The walk came with intense physical struggles, but it was the mental challenges that really pushed the 21-year old.

The money will provide food and gift parcels for those in need this Christmas.

He said: "A lot of time throughout the day was lonely, you were constantly watching over your shoulder."

"When you're on your own it's you against yourself and your own mind you may be overthinking things so much."

But the end goal was enough motivation and with the support of friends and family, who joined him through certain legs, gave him the necessary push to reach Paris.

Henry stops for a photo in Hampshire.

Also, throughout his journey he met lots of people who recognised him from his TikTok and were encouraging him to keep pushing towards his target.

He said: "A lot of people recognised me and asked 'oh are you the guy doing the walk', which I didn't expect at all."

"When people asked and I told them what I was doing there was quite a lot of shock. When they first tell you they think oh 'you're mad' but when they speak to you they recognise how big the challenge is and they wish you the best of luck."

The funds will be split across at least five charities, including two from macclesfield.

After raising more money than expected, the former plasterer is taking on more ambitious altruistic projects, and he is in the process of negotiating a bulk buy of school shoes for hundreds of children - alongside providing Christmas food parcels.

Henry, despite his achievement, has commendably remained down to earth and wanted to thank all of those involved.

He said: "I want to thank everybody involved, family, friends and everyone shared and it is a communal effort and nationwide effort.

The money will be split between Silklife Foodbank in Macclesfield, Cre8 Macclesfield - who also run a foodbank as well as provide activities for young people - Manchester Central Foodbank, older person's charity Re-Engage and Age UK. (Image - Silklife Foodbank)

"All the people who shared and walked with me, there are so many people to thank and I am so privileged to be in this position to do something amazing and I couldn't have done it without these people."

Macclesfield: It is not too late to to donate to Henry's fundraiser.

You can do so via this link.

He set off from Macclesfield at the end of October.

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By Jack Stott, News Associates