Following your overwhelming response to Shrouds of the Somme, we’ve developed a fascination with herculean charitable endeavours. Leo Manning-Faron (sounds posh but he’s a brickie) from North East London is walking to John O’Groats with a bag of sand over his shoulder.

I didn’t believe he’d actually do it until I realised he’s already in Northumberland. Here he is setting off from Leytonstone, London. This is all in aid of St. Mungo’s and Water Aid to “lessen poverty in this country and over the world”. He gets top marks for ambition (or humour) on his fundraising page where he’s targeting a raise of £2 million… He’s about one thousandth of the way there so far. In one of his opening vlogs he refers to the well-known story “The Snail and the Hare” and adds “I’m a snail innit”.

If you’re interested in following his journey, he’s posting regular (very amusing, and rather endearing) videos to his Facebook page. In one post he passes a slaughterhouse and talks about his veganism, until he gets distracted by a cute dog in a window. Along the way, he’s blagged some free rooms from some very supportive and generous B&B’s and hotels, including the Bell Hotel in Hoddesdon, the White Horse in Ripon, the Windsor Guest House in Northallerton, the Old Rectory in Howick, and the Market Cross Guest House in Belford.

If you know of any other businesses, or just folk, who have helped please let us know so we can give them a shout out. And if you are ever on a staycation do please consider visiting one of the above.

Best of luck Leo. You’re an inspiration.

Chris & Team 🙂