THEN WALKED BACK AGAIN!
The 71 years old boater, Chris Stanley, walked from Land’s End to John O’Groats then turned round and walked back again creating two world records raising money for Hope and Homes for Children.
More than 2,500 miles
He has walked more than 2,500 miles in 146 days from Lands End to John O’Groats and back again while raising money for the charity with a target of raising £70,000.
Chris, also known as the Pink Hat Man as he is usually seen wearing one, who lives on a pink electric narrowboat, Elektra, spent months planning this once-in-a-lifetime trip which could earn him two world records: one for being the oldest person to walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back again (known as LeJoGLe) and the other for being the fastest (as no one has claimed the record in the past).
He started his walk at the most westerly point of mainland England on Thursday 3rd April and after reaching John O’Groats on 23rd June, the keen walker turned around and walked back to Land’s End via a different and more direct route, Chris telling:
“I wanted to achieve something memorable following my 70th birthday and the money raised from my walk will transform the lives of many children currently trapped in orphanages.”
Improve the lives of children
The charity Hope and Homes for Children has been working to improve the lives of children in orphanages since 1994 and is supported by famous names including actors Dame Kristen Scott, Thomas and Gary Oldman, and broadcasters Natalie Pinkham and Nick Hewer.
Today over 5.4 million children are confined in orphanages, even though 80% of those are not orphans. Hope and Homes for Children is working in nine countries with teams of skilled, local child protection professionals to get these children 'Back to Family'.
The walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats covered 1,344 miles and a total ascent of more than 140,000 feet; his return walk covered a total of 1,097 miles and a less challenging 82,033 feet of ascent!
Entire length of Lancaster Canal
His route took in many iconic paths including the Cotswold Way, the Jubilee Way, Offa’s Dyke, Wales Coast Path, all 268 miles of the Pennine Way, the West Highlands Way and the entire length of the Lancaster Canal where his narrowboat is currently moored.
Everyday Chris posted a video on instagram of his daily walk which included interviews with various characters he met en route—many of whom are among the nearly 200 people who have donated to his appeal so far.
You can still help Chris to reach his £70,000 target by making a donation to the charity via his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lejog70 where you will also find links to his Instagram and YouTube channels. Over £20,000 currently raised.