Local Man Begins 600 Mile Walking Journey; Raising Money For Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

MONTGOMERY COUNTY (CBS) -- A Souderton man is taking a 600 mile walk beginning in King of Prussia.

Jim Burns has bumped his head a few times.

"I have suffered eight concussions," says the 49-year-old father of three.

His worst was last year, when he slipped while shoveling snow and knocked himself out. He laid in the cold for hours.

"I could have died," he says.

The injury was so bad he had to quit his job in sales. So Burns decided to find meaning with his life by doing something big for others.

"I want to do something to step out beyond myself," he says.

His solution was to raise $2 million dollars for two organizations he loves. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which has helped his children; as well as Chad Tough, a foundation named after 4-year-old Chad Carr, who died last year of a brain tumor. Carr is the grandson of former University of Michigan coach Lloyd Carr; Chad's story touched Burns in a way, he knew he had to take action.

"If I walk 600 miles and one kid survives because of me-- it'll be worth it," says Burns.

Burns is walking from King of Prussia to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He plans to walk 20 miles a day, taking off every fifth day. He says he'll stay with family and friends along his journey and pitch a tent when necessary. Burns notes that his family is supportive, but worried about possible danger.

"I know they are worried, but I have to do this," he says, "I may be walking for my future grandchild-- you never know."

By day four-- Burns had already experienced the helpfulness of strangers. He says Evergree Assisted Living in Lancaster gace gun a place to shower, lunch and food to go. They even gave him time to take a nap in one of their vacant rooms.

"I have tears in my eyes thinking about these awesome folks," he wrote in a text.

Good luck Jim! To donate or follow Jim's journey, go to chadtough.org and click "Chad On."