A ROMSEY man is putting his best foot forward to raise awareness of a genetic condition that claimed the life of his older brother.

Phil Coles and his two mates Tim Jackson and Rob Taylor are raising funds for the charity Marfan Trust with their 41-mile hike from Romsey to Poole Quay on November 8.

The walk will take place exactly five years to the day that Phil’s brother Russell died unexpectedly from Marfan syndrome at the age of 27.

“I am doing this to mark the fifth anniversary of Russell’s passing,” said Phil. “Nobody knew Russell had Marfan syndrome. He went out the night before and didn’t wake up the next morning.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues including cells and organs and in the most serious cases can cause heart defects which often lead to early death It is believed around one in 5,000 suffer from the syndrome and about three quarters of those inherit it from a parent.

People with Marfan tend to be unusually tall, with long limbs and long, thin fingers and toes but this is not always the case and Russell was under six foot and showed none of the common symptoms.

Phil has been tested for the condition and been given the all clear.

Car salesman Phil, who is a Cub leader with the Woodley and Crampmoor Scout group, said: “I am hoping to raise at least £1,000 and at the same time raise awareness about Marfan syndrome which affects thousands of people in the UK.”

Phil’s wife Amy and two young daughters will be keeping a close eye on him from a back-up car driven by his dad Tony.

Phil raised over £2,500 for the Marfan Trust four years ago when he walked the length of the Test Way with friends. Anyone wishing to support Phil’s latest fundraising mission should log onto Virgin Money Giving and look on his page.