AN ADVENTUROUS Silhillian is walking the length of Great Britain for charity.
Connor Bennett is taking on his toughest challenge yet – hiking from John o’ Groats to Land’s End in just three months in aid of Birmingham Mind.
He set off on the 874-mile trek on July 17 and he arrived at his first stop 117-miles down the road in Inverness a week later on July 24.
Connor is now making his way to his next checkpoint in Fort William.
He said: “It’s going well, I’ve found it quite physically tough, but mentally feel good I feel ready to crack on and every mile I do is a mile towards home.
“Life is too short not to leave your comfort zone sometimes.
“The biggest challenge so far has definitely been physically draining. It is being constantly on my feet, they are battered. Got through a few blister plasters already.
“I walked 120 miles and most of that was along the A9 road.
“However, I am looking forward to hiking more country paths soon when I head to fort William and the Ben Nevis area.
“As a keen mountain hiker it will be the first time I clap eyes on Ben Nevis which I intend to walk up one day so definitely looking forward to that.
“I’m looking forward to ticking off every checkpoint and every step closer to home, and I can’t wait to slap that sign at Land’s End.”
The 23-year-old decided to take on the challenge to raise awareness of mental health.
Connor says he really struggled with anxiety when he was younger but is good place with it now and is conscious of keeping it at bay.
He added: “For me, keeping a healthy body and leaving my comfort zone every now and then is how I control it.
“Birmingham Mind is doing an amazing job for our community by being a safeguard for people to talk through their problems giving practical advice and support to those who need it.”
Connor has already smashed his original fundraising target of £500 for the charity and is now hoping to raise quadruple that – £2,000.
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