A former soldier enjoyed a royal welcome after walking from Buckingham Palace to Queenborough.

Regulars at the Flying Dutchman clapped and cheered Craig Jones as he made his way along the High Street, the home straight for his exhausting 75-mile journey.

A pint was thrust into his hand as he neared the pub, and once there, a fundraising reception featuring a bouncy castle and barbecue was laid on in his honour.

The 27-year-old North Road resident left the gates of the palace at 2pm on Friday for his sore-footed slog to Sheppey where he arrived 24-hours later.

If the trek wasn’t tough enough, he saddled himself with a 60lb backpack which he carried throughout the trip.

Mr Jones, who was raising money for Help for Heroes, said: “It was brilliant, a really good day.

“I didn’t have to put my hand in my pocket once on Saturday night and the pub’s owner Kev was brilliant in providing the barbecue, bouncy castle and the Help for Heroes T-shirts for free.”

Mr Jones, a bricklayer for JB Construction, was taking part in his third walk-a-thon.

Last year, he made the jaunt from Brighton to Sheppey, and in 2013, he strode out for the Island from Dover.

His latest expedition saw him journey from the capital via Westminster Bridge, Greenwich, Medway Services and Iwade before crossing the Kingsferry Bridge for the final leg of his ramped-up ramble.

“I didn’t have to put my hand in my pocket once on Saturday night” - Craig Jones

As well as the obvious physical endeavours to contend with, he faced some unexpected tribulations during his adventure.

He mislaid his phone – which he’s since had returned – during a food stop at a Gravesend service station, while his Help for Heroes T-shirt drew unwanted attention in parts of the capital.

“I got a bit of hassle walking through certain London streets with people spitting at my feet as they passed,” he said.

“I got out of there as quickly as possible.”

He said the reception he received elsewhere was more generous with drivers stopping on Kingsferry Bridge to handover or text cash amounts to his cause.

So far, the walk has raised £2,000 for the soldier’s charity.

Mr Jones, who was left limping and sore following his latest endeavours, said he intends to do “something different” next year.

Speaking on Sunday morning, he said: “I couldn’t even put my shoes on, I had to wear flip-flops down the pub. I want to thank everyone at JB Construction and the Dutchman for all their support.”

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