'Kindness of strangers' on 200-mile pony trek

Roger Sewill said he and Scarlet are being helped on their walk by many people

A mental health campaigner taking on a 200-mile walk with his pony said it has helped him discover "the kindness of strangers".

Roger Sewill is walking from Charlwood, across five counties and finishing in Sherborne, Dorset, to raise funds and awareness for the charity Countrymen UK, which supports isolated people in rural areas.

For the entire route he is being accompanied by Scarlet, a Dales pony.

Updating BBC Radio Surrey on his progress, he described "the welcome wherever we've gone" as extraordinary.

He said this was especially helpful during Storm Ashleigh.

"We were up on the top of the South Downs and the last thing I wanted to be was up there with 40 or 50mph winds driving across.

"Someone I knew started ringing round and a stable nearby said 'yes, come and stay'.

"I had to sleep on the tack room floor, but that was fine, and they looked after Scarlet.

"Every place I've gone everyone's looked after Scarlet, or people have offered us cups of tea or stopped to chat, and that's been a really rewarding extra for this trip."

Mr Sewill said walking with Scarlet has helped start conversations with many people

He said he and Scarlet are "really into our stride" and covering about 13 miles a day.

"Walking with Scarlet, so many people come up to me to stop and chat, and I think that ability to be able to communicate with each other is a really good thing.

"That's what the charity does, it gives people the opportunity to be with people that can support them."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.