Jim Bray, from Tiverton in Devon, is touring the UK coastline in a bid to boost the cash-strapped local charity that cared for his late sister.

His mammoth road trip, totalling several thousand miles, will include a challenge to visit and photograph every seaside pub on the British Isles mainland and bigger islands.

He will be raising money for Hospiscare, the Devon charity that supported his sister, Emma Ansley, before she died aged 48 following a brave four-year battle with cancer.

An anonymous donor has pledged to match fund the total raised.

A funding shortfall and higher costs mean Hospiscare is facing a £2.5million deficit this year.

The much-loved charity recently issued an urgent appeal for fair funding to safeguard its long-term future, as it weighs up difficult decisions around staffing and services.

After three exciting years as manager of Tiverton Pannier Market, Jim resigned recently in order to take a rest, recharge the batteries and seek a new challenge.

For now, that challenge will come in the form of a charity expedition entitled “Exploring Britain’s Coast and Seaside Pubs”.

Touring in his car, he plans to take lots of photos and videos of iconic views, landmarks, walks and much more.

People are invited to follow his daily updates and journey on Facebook and Instagram and make donations to Hospiscare via JustGiving.

Jim is funding the trip himself, hoping for assistance from accommodation providers to keep costs down.

“Hospiscare is a much-cherished charity that provides outstanding care to over 2,000 people a year at the end of their lives,” he said.

“We’ve seen up close what a fantastic job the charity and its staff do, while supporting Emma and our family in her final months in 2021 and 2022, and it’s vital that these services are preserved for many thousands of patients in the years ahead.”

Jim, aged 44, gave up his job as an NHS communications manager in 2016 in order to walk the entire South West Coast Path for two local cancer charities.

In a challenge entitled “Jim’s Journey”, he walked over 700 miles in eight weeks and raised £8,500 for FORCE and Over and Above.

In recent years Jim has run a Facebook page called “Discovering Devon, Somerset and beyond”, where he shares photos, videos and details of coastal, moorland and other walks across the South West and places like Pembrokeshire and the Lake District.

“I’m especially looking forward to exploring parts of the coast I’ve never visited before, including in northern and eastern England, Scotland and west Wales,” he said.

“I plan to hug the coastline as closely as possible and see all the main viewpoints and landmarks, including harbours, piers, beaches and lighthouses, while I hope to complete some of the top-rated seaside walks and play a round of golf or two.

“I have set myself the challenge of seeing and photographing every sea-facing pub on the British Isles mainland and bigger islands, plus other renowned inns and venues nearby, and will try to unearth the one with the best coastal backdrop and views.”

Jim, who worked as a news and sports reporter, sub-editor and sports editor in local newspapers for nearly 10 years, said he had no idea how long the trip would take.

He added: “I have no ties, other than knowing I need to be back for a short while in mid-August to dog sit my dad’s three springer spaniels!

“I’ll see how it goes over the first few days and decide whether to speed up, slow down or maintain a similar pace.”

Jim plans to set off in late July, from a mystery starting point.