Coastwalker Chris takes UK challenge in his stride

Dad-of-three Chris Howard has walked through Himalayan foothills, jungles, rainforests - and now he is on Scotland's west coast.

 

Carrying just a backpack, Chris left Norfolk in July 2020 to walk his way round the entire coastline of mainline Britain in aid off BBC's Children In Need.

 

"attachment_560873" "" "300"] Chris Howard in Oban on his Children In Need mission to walk the UK mainland
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So far he has raised more than £26,000 and hopes to double that sum by the end of the year.

 

With travels through Russia and most of Europe under his belt, Chris has also rowed the Atlantic fully unsupported, cycled nonstop from Paris to Cambridge, and run in the Paris marathon, but having a family is his biggest and best experience to date.

 

His children and the need of many others not as fortunate as them, are why he is walking the 11,000 miles of coastline, surviving with minimal kit, and relying on the kindness of strangers.

 

'I left home in July 2020 and then was in lockdown for four and a half months, I've been on the road for 270 days so far. I really miss home in Cambridge and my three little girls, who I probably won't see until Christmas now. We Facetime and I read them a story. They're following my walk on a map with little stickers.

 

'Once I get to John O'Groats I will have reached all four of the most extreme points of the UK and it also means I'll be starting to head homewards,' said Chris.

 

With long periods of walking alone each day, he sleeps outdoors in a sleeping bag or bivvy bag - unless he is offered a bed, sofa or shed for the night. He has also been foraging for food but people have been kind and have been feeding him.

 

'It gets pretty lonely, so even someone recognising me to wave or say hello makes a massive difference to me.

 

'I hardly spoke to anyone between Gretna and Ayrshire which was pretty tough. I loved Kintyre, the people there were amazing. They had banners out, gave me snacks, a family offered me a shower and I got my laundry done - it was really appreciated.'

 

Oban Backpackers Hostel gave Chris a bed for the night when he reached town at the weekend and Oban's Hope Kitchen was looking forward to welcoming him ready for the next stage of his walk to Fort William, with a walk up Ben Nevis, then on to Mallaig, Knoydart and upwards to Cape Wrath and John O'Groats.

 

To make a donation to Chris's Children in Need fundraising page, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thecoastwalker

 

 

Caption: Chris The Coastwalker in Oban

 

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