Long distance fundraiser John Lord turns miles into money

Long distance fundraiser John Lord turns miles into money

John Lord has recently lost about twenty-eight pounds – and gained nearly three thousand. The first in weight and the second in money raised from his recent fundraising trek from Lands End to John O’Groats.

The sixty-year-old from Littleborough started his walk, to go from end to end of the British Isles, on 17 April and finished on 19 July. In that 97 days there were 17 rest days with a total walking time of 672 hours helping to raise money for both Springhill Hospice and Prostate Cancer UK.

John decided to take on the walk as a personal challenge for his 'big birthday' and to raise money and awareness for two good causes, one local and one national, both close to his heart. The result is £3,000 shared between them both.

• John’s average mileage on walking days was 16.43 miles.
• On his longest day he walked 29.36 miles.
• The longest in terms of time was 13 hours covering just over 16 miles - slow progress because of weather and terrain.
• On 28 days he walked for more than 10 hours. 
• Carrying with him his tent, stove and equipment, John’s rucksack weighed around 30lbs, more when food and drink was added.
• At the end of the walk he'd lost 28lbs.
• In total the distance covered was 1,314.51 miles with a gain in elevation of 124,208 feet. 

John said: “I destroyed one pair of boots, and the replacements look very well worn in. The weight loss caused some problems, in that the waist belt on my rucksack was cranked up as far as possible and wasn’t as comfortable as it was when there was a little more of me.

"I met some fascinating people along the way and enjoyed seeing the country from a totally different perspective.

"While the initial decision to walk was a personal one, I thought I’d also try to raise some money to support these two great charities and I’m grateful to everyone who have made donations – including the many walkers and others whom I met along the way.”

Barbara Lloyd, Community Support Fundraiser at Springhill Hospice, said: “John did the challenge on his own. He sometimes met up with other walkers along the way but for him to keep going on long isolated stretches in hard terrain and terrible weather, particularly through the highlands of Scotland, needed great inner strength as well as physical commitment.

"He really is to be congratulated on what is truly a magnificent achievement.”

Donations are welcome, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/teams/JBLLeJog2016