KEEN fundraiser Chris Phillips is set to undertake arguably his craziest challenge yet.

The Echo’s chief sports reporter has raised £115,000 for charity but will now be looking to add to that tally later this month.

On Saturday June 29, just before Wimbledon gets underway, Chris will be walking 35 miles between all 16 tennis clubs who currently compete in the Leigh & Westcliff League.

And he will also play tennis at all of those clubs to raise money for SECE Mind.

Chris said: “I always try and avoid repeating a fundraiser I’ve done before ideally but I wanted it to have a tennis theme as that’s one of my biggest passions.

“I play in the Leigh & Westcliff league myself so it was something I had thought about while driving to some of the venues.

“I spoke with the league’s chairman James Driscoll about it and between us we decided it was suitably crazy for me to try and do.

“I dread to think how long it’s going to take though!”

Chris’ walk will start from Basildon David Lloyd and will finish at his own club, Southend Lawn.

And he has again set the challenge to raise funds and awareness of mental health issues.

“I struggle with my mental health and it’s important people realise it’s just them feeling that way,” said Chris, who is the chief sports reporter of the Echo.

“I’ve been guilty of that in the past but now like to do whatever I can to highlight the fact people shouldn’t be ashamed of these kind of struggles.

“I’d love for people to come and join in for whatever parts of the walk they would like because it shows, like with depression, you can get through things together.”

Chris also agreed that if he reaches £10,000 before the day of the walk he will do an online draw to select which suggested colour he will dye his hair for the event.

“I’ve chosen an amount I don’t think I’ll get to before the day so I should be safe I think,” laughed Chris.

“Mind you it’s going grey now anyway what with the stresses of covering Southend United every day!

Last summer Chris raised £14,011 for SECE Mind by playing tennis non stop for 11 hours and five minutes.

The fundraiser has seen him shortlisted for the National LTA Presidents Award with the ceremony taking place during the second day of Wimbledon.

To sponsor Chris for his latest fundraiser click here.

To join in with the walk or to become more involved email chris.phillips@newsquest.co.uk for further details.

He is also holding a fundraising raffle should anyone want to donate a prize/