Website designer embarks on epic interactive journey (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Widnes explorer to tackle mountains and deserts

12:40pm Monday 21st January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

A WEB site designer is embarking on an epic interactive journey across mountains, over deserts and through war-torn countries, from Beijing to Widnes.

Michael Lee Johnson has been meticulously planning his gruelling 4,000 mile ‘On Foot To Freedom’ marathon since he was eight.

He will be wearing four cameras and carrying a lightweight laptop as his entire trip, expected to take between three and five years, will be tracked via GPS for a documentary and a book.

Michael, aged 28, of Rose Street, Widnes, said: “This is my childhood dream. I have always wanted to follow the silk road.

“I have sat on computers all my life. I have been building computers since I was nine.

“I want to see the world. I am not scared of dying. I am scared of not being able to live.”

He has secured funding from 22 sponsors across America and is learning Mandarin so he can interview people in China and discover their culture.

He has been training for the arduous trek for a year and has scaled both Ben Nevis and Snowdon.

Former Wade Deacon pupil, Michael said: “I have no monetary concerns and I am used to different terrains and weather conditions.

“My two biggest obstacles are the great wall of China which blocks all western communication and the difficulty of getting food and water in the desert.”

He jets off to Beijing in July and will have packs of clothing sent to different cities on route. He plans to sleep in a tent and stay in cheap accommodation, temples and people’s homes wherever possible.

Michael is now inviting local sponsors to back his adventure.

He said: “ There will be global awareness to millions of people. It would be great to have local businesses on board.

“They will get a great return on their investment.”

To contact Michael, visit michaelleejohnson.com