Two "best mates" in wheelchairs made a 720 mile round trip from Skelmersdale to Lands End with no money, food or water.
Carl Eaton was born with Spina Bifida and has been using a wheelchair for the last 15 years. Along with his friend Peter Walsh, he set himself the challenge of traveling from the Concourse in Skelmersdale to Lands End and back again without spending any money.
The pair set off on Saturday 9 July in their wheelchairs to a chorus of Folsom Prison Blues. With no means of transport the friends had to rely on the generosity of strangers to get them to their destination more than 360 miles away.
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Speaking to the ECHO Carl, 59, said: "Peter is an abled-bodied man but he wanted to do the challenge in a wheelchair so he could experience what disabled people go through on a day-to-day basis and raise some money for charity.
"So we decided to "Escape from Skem" and when I say we had nothing we had nothing even the credit cards were taken off our phones. We had to blag it the whole way and the kindness of the people we met is what surprised me I've never met generosity like it."
The pair hitchhiked on trains from Birmingham to Bristol and even spent a night sleeping in a hotel lobby after becoming stranded in Plymouth. At one point Carl was so desperate for anywhere to sleep he asked the police if they could spend a night in the cells.
Despite the challenges they faced and having "blisters all over the hands" Carl and Peter finally made it to Lands End in Penzance 28 hours later. The dad of two said: "When we got there Pete and I just sat there and cried like babies.
"It was so emotional and to achieve it in wheelchairs with nothing was huge. Then as we sat there crying it dawned on us that we would have to go all the way back."
They finally made it back home to Liverpool on Monday at 2amm again without spending a penny. Speaking about his friend Carl said: "I've been mates with Pete for over 50 years and we made an amazing team.
"It was the hardest thing I've ever done but without Peter, by my side, there is no way I could have ever achieved it. He said to me we left as friends but returned as best mates. It was not bad going for two lads in their 60s."
"So many people helped us and it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Getting food and water was not a problem because in the end, people were so willing to help. It restored my faith in human kindness."
Carl and Pete were raising money to support Carousel Music and Movement, a charity which uses music, movement, singing, percussive activities, and more to help people improve their health and wellbeing. You can donate money to Carl and Pete's fundraiser here.
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