Now in the seventh week of his 1,000-mile marathon charity walk from John o' Groats to Land's End, Paul Northey has just hit the 900-mile mark.

The former Monmouth postman is hoping to raise thousands for Help for Heroes and walked into his home town of Monmouth on Saturday 27th September.

Averaging 17 miles a day, he has been on painkillers the past few weeks for a fallen arch in his foot, having worn one set of boots out already.

Carrying a 50lb rucksack, he has paid for the walk out of his own pocket, spending half his time camping, and half bed-and-breakfast.

The least number of miles he covered in a day was six, when he was ill, the most was 25.

"It's a lot harder than I thought, but it is going well and I am really enjoying it," he told the Beacon last week (Friday 3rd October).

"People have been really kind and let me stay on their farms," Paul added.

"I can always tell what fast-food restaurant is coming up by the rubbish on the road.

"I also keep seeing gloves, an amazing number of gloves, thousands of lorry drivers' gloves, and loads of L plates."

He aims to finish his walk this Saturday (11th October) and his wife Lorraine and other family members are hoping to join him for the last leg of his walk.

He has had a letter from Prince Harry's team wishing him luck and asking to be kept up-to-date with the walk.

If anyone is interested in donating anything from £1 upwards to Paul's walk, go to http://www.bmy">www.bmy

charity.com/paul

northey.

This will not be the end of his fundraising efforts as he plans to take part in the ice-bucket challenge at the Mayhill pub and he will also be getting sponsorship for styling his moustache, rather than shave it off.