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RNLI fundraiser Alex Ellis-Roswell finishes 9,500 mile walk today

By: Katie Davis

Published: 00:01, 11 November 2017

He's been chased by bulls, slept in doorways and visited more than 200 lifeboat stations - but 9,500 miles later, RNLI fundraiser Alex Ellis-Roswell is due to finish his three year trek this afternoon.

With family, friends and RNLI fundraisers waiting at the finish line, the 24-year-old will take his final few steps of the journey at Minnis Bay at around 2pm, the same spot he set off from all those years ago.

So far, Alex has raised more than £64,000 by walking around the British and Irish coastline, a far cry from his original fundraising target of £10,000.

He has so far raised more £60k. Pic: RNLI

He is now on a mission to hit £95,000, to represent £10 for every mile he has walked.

Alex, from Canterbury, said: "I'm excited to be so close to finishing and raising a great sum for the RNLI and its volunteers."

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He set out on his venture on Sunday, August 3 2014.

Alex started his walk three years ago. Pic: RNLI

It was after the passing of his father, Sir Raymond Ellis at Christmas in 2013 that Alex decided to go on the journey of a lifetime.

His father had spent much of his life dedicated to charity work and fundraising, which spurred Alex on.

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Alex said: "My dad's ultimate stubbornness against what seemed to be a never ending cycle of illness, pain, operations and setbacks will always be a very personal inspiration to me.

Alex finishes his walk today. Pic: RNLI

"I started off thinking about £10,000 then £20,000 then £50,000.

"I suppose reaching this target shows how well supported the RNLI is by the people, places and communities I've walked through, especially when for many people money is tight."

On Thursday evening Alex was met members of the Whitstable lifeboat crew and fundraising branch and was interviewed live on the BBC's South East Today news programme.

Alex visited the Whitstable lifeboat station on Thursday

He arrived in Whitstable on Wednesday evening a few hours earlier than expected, ready to call in to the town's lifeboat station on Thursday - the last call before completing his walk today from Reculver to Minnis Bay.

Whitstable lifeboat operations manager Mike Judge said “It has been a fantastic effort by Alex, of the kind on which the RNLI depend on to fund it's lifesaving service.

He has visited more than 200 lifeboat stations

“We where delighted to be able to provide the last bit of support for his marathon effort by being the final lifeboat station he visited and we are full of admiration for his efforts”.

You can join the final stages of Alex’s journey by visiting his Facebook page or by following him on Twitter.

It is the last lifebaot station he will visit on his trip

For Alex's fundraising page, click here.

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