A MAN from Tunbridge Wells has completed a 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path to raise money for the Nourish Community Foodbank in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.
Paul Eames, 66, completed the trek on Britain’s longest national trail in 41 days without taking any rest days, and has raised £2,200.
The distance includes 115,000 feet of ascent and descent, which is the equivalent of going up and down Mount Everest four times.
As a member of Sweetwoods Park Golf Club in Cowden, he was supporting the chosen charity of the men’s and women’s captains.
Paul kept a blog of his journey on his Virgin Money crowdfunding page, and the last day’s entry describes the emotional and physical impact of the undertaking.
He wrote: “Rather emotional but relieved and thankful I made it to the end.
“A huge thank you to so many people who have sponsored me, walked with me, met me, fed me, given me a bed for the night, supped with me and generally supported me for the last 41 days. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
SHORE THING: Paul Eames walked for 41 days straight
Nourish operates in Tunbridge Wells and south Tonbridge, providing emergency food and provisions to people in crisis on a referral basis
Dawn Stanford, Operations Manager at Nourish, said: “We are so proud of Paul’s incredible achievement, he is an inspiration to us all.
“Many people think of Tunbridge Wells as a wealthy area, but around 16 per cent of households in our area are living in poverty, with many people literally unable to afford to put food on the table.
“Since 2012, we have provided over 110,000 meals to local people, costing us on average £3 to provide a meal.
“Paul’s incredible donation could cover the cost of over 700 meals for people in our community, helping us to achieve our aim that no one need go hungry in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.”
