A BRITISH TV presenter will be running across the Welsh Coast Path and finishing in Monmouthshire next month to raise money for a disaster relief charity.

Sarah Thomson, one of the presenters for Bear Grylls’ Survival School on CITV, will set herself the challenge of running 870 miles from Chester to Chepstow on October 11 for the charity ShelterBox.

Miss Thomson, who is 23 and lives in Devon when she is not travelling the world for the TV show, will attempt to run the distance in just 30 days.

“It will be the equivalent of running over 33 back-to-back marathons while summiting Kilimanjaro 60 times,” she said.

“Currently, the fastest known time of someone running the path is 40 days but I will be attempting to do it in 30 days.”

Miss Thomson will be carry her equipment with her each day of the race, and will set up camp with a tent each night.

She said she decided to take on the task for ShelterBox as it is based close to her, in Cornwall, and provides much needed support.

“Around 60 million people around the world have been made homeless by natural disaster and conflict and the charity is working to change this by providing emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster,” she said.

She also said she chose the coastal path because of the Welsh weather conditions, which she thinks will make the challenge even harder.

“As beautiful as Wales is, I didn’t want an easy challenge,” she added. “I wanted to be pushed way out of my comfort zone and be put in a position where I will have to work hard to keep spirits strong.

“The distance and weather is going to be tough work, but With ShelterBox in mind, I can be assured that what people are going through in warzones and disaster areas is far worse.”

To find out more about Miss Thomson and her journey, visit sarahmaythomson.com.