[A] man on a mission to walk the entire coastline of Britain in just 48 weeks has been provided with place to stay by Copeland’s MP.
Trudy Harrison MP last night welcomed charity walker, Charles Compton, who is 2,268 miles into his epic 6,100 mile challenge, to her family home in Bootle for a two-night respite.
Hoping to have completed his challenge by November this year, Mr Compton arrived at Kents Bank in Cumbria last week before reaching the Copeland MP’s home yesterday, passing through Rampside, and Askam in Furness on the way.
The challenge began in January, when Mr Compton left his starting point at Tower Bridge in London, after making the decision to raise £10,000 for the Mental Health Foundation following his own battle with mental health issues.
He said: “Unfortunately since December 2013 my life has been significantly changed with the onset of my own mental health issues.
“I went from being a relatively happy, positive person, in a job I liked, in a house I liked and with enough friends, to being an unhappy, negative person, having to quit my job, being essentially homeless at points and feeling completely isolated from the world, seemingly with no trigger and for no reason.
“I have set myself this challenge for two reasons. Firstly a selfish one, being active is one of the few things that definitely does help my mental health (even if at times it’s hard to get out) so setting myself this challenge will definitely make me get out and about, be active and thus hopefully improve my physical wellbeing as well as my mental health.
“The Mental Health Foundation work in many areas including trying to influence policy and it is only with organisations like this that the changes required to the treatment of people with mental health can improve, so I am really excited to support them with any fundraising money raised.”
This week, (14 – 20 May) the Mental Health Foundation is hosting Mental Health Awareness Week with a strong focus on stress.
A recent YouGov poll found that in the past year 74 per cent of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope.
Mr Compton has so far managed to raise over half of his £10,000 target for the Mental Health Foundation – donations can be made by following the link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CharlesCompton
Full journey details can also be found on his website and diary: www.charleswalk.com.
Almost half way through his trip, Mr Compton is calling on any bed and breakfasts, hostels, campsites, hotels or indeed individuals who can offer support to get in touch using the contact form on his website.
Mr Compton, added: “I was delighted when Trudy offered to provide me with a place to stay and relax for a few nights – gestures like these mean I am able to properly rest and continue on with my challenge, so I am incredibly grateful for her and her family’s kind hospitality.”
“I wish him all the very best for the remaining journey, and hope to see catch up Tower Bridge in December as the final stage is completed.”
Mrs Harrison, said: “When the call came for coastal offers of kindness I was delighted to offer our home to Charles Crompton as he undertakes his epic journey around Britain – on foot.
“6100 miles in total, Charles is 1/3 of the way round, aiming to complete his fundraiser for the Mental Health Foundation in 48 weeks.
“I wish him all the very best for the remaining journey, and hope to see him and catch up at Tower Bridge in November as the final stage is completed.”
