A City of Armadale councillor has completed a 64-day trek through Scotland and England to raise money for charity.
Colin Campbell is a representative of the Palomino ward, which incorporates Seville Grove and the southwest section of Champion Lakes and last May he travelled with his wife to the United Kingdom with a plan to walk 1600 kilometres in two months from northern Scotland to southern England.
The pair organised the walk themselves and raised nearly $4000 for the charities Soldier On, which raises money to help returned servicemen and women and their families integrate into normal life, and Radio Lollipop, which supports children in hospital.
The money was split evenly to go to each charity.
Mr Campbell said he was glad he had the chance to do something to help others.
“It is something we have wanted to do for years,” he said.
“We’ve done segments of the Bibbulmun track, but nothing as insanely long as this.”
The couple, who are in their 40s, walked 29 kilometres a day on average, through a heat wave in northern Scotland and torrential rain in southern England.
They climbed mountains, walked national trails and passed through major English and Scottish cities on the journey.
“We burned through two sets of boots and I lost six inches off my waist,” he said.
“Sadly it’s creeping back on.
“Climbing the mountains was crazy, Scafell Pike was done under 80 per cent fog, with visibility often in the 10 to 15 metre range.
“It snowed on top of Ben Nevis in the mid-summer and coming down I slipped and cracked my elbow, fun times.”
Mr Campbell said he had helped Radio Lollipop for several years before the hike and his family had historically served in the armed forces, so it was a no brainer which charities they could fundraise for.
“Radio Lollipop helps sick kids in hospitals, providing activities and distractions to help them cope,” he said.
“They are famous for setting up hospital-based kid’s radio stations, getting the kids to act as DJs.
“Soldier On provides training and support to veterans and their families.
“I think the support for veterans are not all that they could be, so NGOs such as Soldier On are vital.”
For more information about Soldier On and Radio Lollipop visit soldieron.org.au and radiolollipop.org.
