Keystone Today

Passing through Philadelphia last week, a father from the United Kingdom has crossed the Atlantic Ocean and walked barefoot for 1,200 miles along the East Coast to raise money for research into his daughter's rare genetic disease.

Chris Brannigan, currently serving in the British Army, began his trip in Maine a month ago and arrived in Philadelphia last Thursday. Brannigan currently has 500 miles left in his journey until he arrives at his destination of Jacksonville, North Carolina.

"I'm doing the whole journey barefoot," Brannigan told ABC6 Action News. "I don't enjoy walking barefoot. I'm not an athlete. I'm not some kind of endurance junkie. I'm really just doing this because it's a way to get people to focus on this issue and hopefully help us raise the money we need."

Brannigan's 9-year-old daughter, Hasti, was born with a rare genetic condition called Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, which has affected her growth, cognition and speech, and causes seizures, which are expected to worsen without treatment. 

Brannigan had previously completed a 700-mile walk in the U.K., which helped raise $1.2 million toward his $3.5 million goal needed before any clinical trials, research or gene therapy can begin, according to ABC6 Action News.

Those interested in Brannigan's journey can visit the Hope for Hasti Facebook page to donate or to track his progress.