A dad-of-three is "relying on the kindness of strangers" to help him walk the entire coast of Britain.
Chris Howard, who has taken on the epic challenge to help children, will walk a staggering 11,000 miles with minimal supplies.
Chris, from Cambridge, arrived in Southport on Sunday night.
He said: “I plan to have a look around the town today off the beachfront and if the weather clears get a sunset photo by Southport Pier.
"I don’t need much really although food is always appreciated... any promotion to help the fundraising is the most important thing really, I’m over £23,000 but hope to double it by the end of this year.
“I am really looking forward to just seeing Southport and maybe meeting people as I’ve never been here and I get pretty lonely.”
Chris, who is fundraising for Children In Need, is relying on the kindness of strangers during his trek.
He continued: “Getting home to my family is my motivation to do it as quickly as I can.
“I have a set of rules about the journey but the basics are very simple; I must walk the entire distance, I will use bridges or on roads where crossing points dictate, I will navigate by OS map, GPS and the stars.
"I’m heading clockwise from North Norfolk so really I just have to keep the sea on my left.
“I’ll document my experiences as I go wherever connection allows and I’ll be foraging for food as well as taking food donations along the way.
“I have three amazing children of my own and I want to inspire them and others to always push their limits and help others.
“I’ve chosen Children in Need because they support so many children and young people organisations reaching every corner of the UK.
“This is a challenge that will test me both physically and mentally. Long periods of walking alone in all weathers, I’ll walk for as long as I can each day. I will mainly sleep outdoors in a sleeping bag and bivvy.
“I hope to be offered a bed, sofa or shed occasionally but otherwise I’m surviving day to day on what I can carry.
“I have been strict in my approach to what is essential and what is not, if an item doesn’t have more than one use it doesn’t come with me. I will beg, borrow and forage when it comes to food, making my priority water and miles.”
Chris started his coastal walk from Norfolk in May 2020 and has made his way clockwise around the coast.
He walks about 30 miles each day and only sees his family every 10 weeks.
For more information, or to make a donation, go to thecoastwalker.com
