Fundraiser gets warm Highland welcome
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A FUNDRAISER who is walking the entire coastline of the UK and Northern Ireland said he has found a warm welcome in the Highlands.
Chris Lewis (40) started his walk on August 1, 2017, and over his many months of fundraising has made friends, fell in love and found a dog, Jet, to accompany him.
Mr Lewis, originally from Swansea, is raising money for SAFFA, the armed forces charity.
Mr Lewis said: "In Inverness I am staying with Seonag Anderson, she heard about me from another Highland woman, Christine Stone, who I now call my Caithness mother."
Mr Lewis is an army veteran of the parachute regiment. When he left his regiment he was supported by SAFFA, and in return he set out to raise "some money" for them.
Mr Lewis explained: "I served with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment and have had some challenging times since returning to civilian life.
"As a single parent, I've been bringing up my daughter for the last 10 years and SSAFA have really helped me keep my head above water throughout that time.
"I have experienced first-hand what it does and I honestly don't know where I would be without their help and support."
He continued: "I decided to walk the coast of the UK. So I left from Llangennith Beach Hill End car park and here we are all these years and months later.
"In that time so many things have happened to me. I have met some amazing people, I have spent time on every single coastline of every island off the coast of the west of the country. Inverness kind of marks the start of the east coast.
"Jet just seemed to join me one day on the walk and he had been great company for me. We live in the tent in people's gardens so we are fairly self sufficient, but it is nice for us to get a warm meal."
Mr Lewis also revealed that in spite of giving up on ever being in love again, he met a partner during his walk along the coastline.
He said: "She is wonderful, and accepting of the fundraising I am doing. I never thought it would happen – but it did.
"This walk has given me more than I could ever have given to SAFFA. There has certainly been a warm welcome in the Highlands and I have made some incredible friends."
Mr Lewis has raised more than £166,000.
