THE chairman of Tranent Amateur Swimming Club is raising money for the club and charity by walking 26 miles dressed as a giant baby. . . and taking a dip in the sea at the end.

Adrian Bayne will leave the Forth Bridges at South Queensferry on the morning of September 4 and walk the John Muir Way, meeting youngsters from the swimming club at Musselburgh Lagoons, before walking the last mile to the Lidl car park in Prestonpans and having a swim in the sea.

Adrian said: “I’m looking forward to it. Walking is what I do to relax.

“It will also be nice to see more of the country; the walk covers a lot of history and it will be lovely to see that.”

Adrian has previously walked the full John Muir Way, which runs from Dunbar to Helensburgh, in stages with a friend over four years. He also walked from Edinburgh Waverley train station to North Berwick last year for charity.

But the 47-year-old’s latest challenge will see him walk 26 miles dressed as a giant baby, after his daughter nicknamed him ‘baby Jake’.

Adrian, who lives in Musselburgh, has been completing smaller walks in preparation for the big day.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant swimming, among other sports, has been hit hard, with swimmers unable to train as usual due to restrictions.

The virus has also affected swim clubs financially, with galas, one of their main sources of income, unable to take place.

Adrian, a train driver for LNER, said: “It has been really hard on swimming clubs to raise money.

“It’s been a really difficult time for us as a whole, and we’re a smaller club compared to others.

“We want to get all of the kids motivated again and give something back to them.”

Half the money raised will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust, after Adrian was inspired by the story of 15-year-old Preston Lodge High School student Aidan Hogg. Aidan was given a shock leukaemia diagnosis earlier this year.

Adrian said: “We didn’t think it was fair to keep [the money] all for ourselves and that’s why we decided to donate some to charity and help out other people rather than just being selfish.

“It will be nice to put smiles on faces again.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/adrian-bayne-1