Man completes 6,500 mile UK coastline walk

Chris Jones arrived back in Skegness on Saturday after walking the UK coastline

A man from Lincolnshire who has spent the last two years walking the coastline of the UK and Channel Islands said the challenge had given him a different perspective on life.

Chris Jones set out on his walk from Skegness on New Year's Day 2023 to raise awareness of mental health problems.

The challenge has raised just under £75,000 for the Masonic charitable foundation for mental health support.

After completing the 6,500 mile (10,460 km) walk Mr Jones said he was glad to be back in the county.

Mr Jones explained that although he found the coastline beautiful, it was the people who really touched him.

He said: "I've found it's places where the people have got the least to give you are generally the most generous. It's been about the people, not about the places."

Mr Jones told the BBC that he wanted people to help each other if they are having problems with their mental health and added he had been "overwhelmed" by the experience.

"Everywhere I've been, the hand of friendship, the generous donations I've been given, the beds I've been offered to sleep in.

"It's just all about people. We're all here for each other, aren't we?" he said.

Mr Jones said it was lovely to be back in Lincolnshire and is now planning to write a book about his trip.

"Lincolnshire is a fantastic place, isn't it? We've got a lovely bit of coastline and I'm really glad to be back," he added.

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