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Strood man hikes the coast of Wales and England to raise money for charity

A man is trekking the coast around Wales and England in a bid to raise money to stop the country’s hunger and food crisis.

Peter Singleton, from Strood, set off on March 19 to walk 3,800 miles around the country’s coastline – starting and finishing in Gravesend – to raise funds for The Trussell Trust, which provides supplies for food banks.

Peter Singleton started his coastal trek in Gravesend
Peter Singleton started his coastal trek in Gravesend

Peter said: “I walked all the National Trails and wanted a new challenge and something a bit different. Lands End to John O’Groats seemed very ordinary.

“People were asking about blogging, so I started a microblog.”

To follow the blog click on this link.

He said his biggest fear as he navigates some tricky pathways around the UK coastline is falling off a cliff or getting attacked.

“I’m also getting a bit clumsy in my old age,” he said.

Since starting the challenge in Gravesend a few months ago, Peter has been forced to make make-shift bridges from brambles to help cross rivers.

Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England
Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England

Towards the end of May, Peter battled a section of path he described as “very controversial” as he headed towards the harbour town of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, in Wales.

He said: “There are people who plan and walk the Pembrokeshire coast path and miss this section out, and then claim they have walked the path. They take a taxi or a bus.”

During the days he has so far been trekking, Peter has been walking for 13 hours and covering around 30 miles a day.

He has camped in fields, in campsites and even been invited into people’s homes for a cup of tea or a pint of beer.

He has already travelled through various parts of Wales and made sure to enjoy every unique experience he can get.

Walking through Mumbles he knew he would have to touch a lighthouse in the distance before feeling happy to move on – even if it meant delaying his journey.

Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England
Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England
Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England
Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England

“I touched the lighthouse and made my way back onto the coast path.”

He has received lots of support along the way, even getting cheers from onlookers as he tried to navigate the tricky Ogmore River.

In an entry on his blog he wrote: “It is a fast flowing river that has a channel in the beach and flows into the Severn. Even at low tide, crossing it can be difficult. I opted for the stepping stones.

Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England
Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England
Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England
Peter Singleton from Strood is walking the coast around Wales and England

“I took my boots and socks off and attempted it. I managed five stones before retreating. The stones had slippery weed on them and the wind made things difficult.

“I then decided to ford the river. It didn’t seem that deep and the water wasn’t racing. I now had a few more onlookers.

“One shouted ‘do it for England’ so I went back in the river. The water level reached half way up my shorts. Although I was wet, it was an easier way of crossing. Within minutes I was on dry land with applause from the onlookers. I bowed.”

Peter, now in Cumbria, has already raised more than £2,000 and is hoping to reach £3,800, to match the number of miles he has trekked, by the time he returns to Gravesend in September.

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