2011 - From John O'Groats to Lands End - as the crow flies around 850 miles - walking over 1,000 miles!
John O'Groats is the traditionally acknowledged extreme northern point of Scotland, in northeastern Caithness, although the actual northernmost point is at nearby Dunnet Head about two miles from John O'Groats - this is where Doug started his walk on the 11th April 2011.
Land's End is the extreme southwestward point of Great Britain, situated in western Cornwall at the end of the Penwith peninsula - this will be where Doug expects to finish his walk on or around the 14th June 2011.
The first recorded walk was undertaken by the brothers John and Robert Naylor in 1871 - Since then many people have donned their walking boots (normally starting from Land's End). Famous walkers include Dr. Barbara Moore in 1960 and Sir Ian Botham in 1985. In 1960 Sir Billy Butlin organised a road walking race!
Doug plans to walk the route using footpaths as often as possible, although there will be large stretches where he will be obliged to share the road with often busy traffic.
Although the majority of fundraisers choose to walk or cycle, there are recorded journeys made by Wheelchair, Running, Skateboarding!, Hitchhiking and Public Transport,
The youngest person to have completed the journey (by bicycle) was Cameron Wickes, then aged 5 in 2007. The oldest person was Reg Savill who was 74.
Doug, at 67, is a mere youngster but if he gets lost - maybe he'll beat that record by the time he reaches Land's End!
But Doug won't get lost - he's made meticulous planning and he has trusty Sue, his wife, to keep him on the straight and narrow.
Latest update.......
Journey completed, Doug and Sue travelled to Help for Heroes at Tedworth House the Headquarters of Help for Heroes based in the garrison town of Tidworth, to present their cheque for the total amount raised during Doug's epic adventure walking the length of the UK.
The amount raised and shown on the cheque (£21,404) has since been boosted to £22,586 thanks to a couple of additional days spent collecting, aided by Army personnel.
The Help for Heroes Web Site has included a tribute to Doug and his efforts. Click this link to read about him