Ex soldier on charity trek (From Western Telegraph)

Ex soldier on charity trek

5:20pm Saturday 20th October 2012 in News

An ex-soldier, who embarked on a 6,825-mile trek around the coast of Britain for Help for Heroes, hopes to set a new record.

After setting off from Blackpool on August 8th, Christian Nock has now reached Pembrokeshire.

The 38-year-old, who served as an infantryman in the Staffordshire regiment for eight years, said that no one has ever attempted to sleep rough the whole way around.

He said: “I have slept underneath upturned boats, in public toilets, garden sheds, in the woods, in caves, on benches – anywhere that I can find.”

Christian, who was 65 days, 700 miles, and just six showers into his challenge when the Western Telegraph caught up with him, decided to walk the coastline of Britain after selling his car, home and guesthouse in Blackpool.

“I think that my faith in humanity, which I lost as a hotelier, has been completely rekindled,” he said.

“Welsh people have been absolutely fantastic. So many people have refunded my breakfast or offered to buy me a pint when they found out what I was doing.”

He added: “People keep saying that I’m inspirational, but I don’t think so. I’m just someone who got so fed up with everything.

Christian plans to complete the walk by December 2013.

He said: “So far, the hardest section has been between Poppit Sands and Newport Sands. I was up against galeforce winds, and heavy rain so the place was like a bog.

He added: “I have no idea what I will do when I finish. I might turn around and go back the other way.

“But failure is not an option, because I have nothing to go back to.”

To donate, visit www.bmy charity.com/ChristianNock, or find Christian Around Britain on Facebook.