AN OKEHAMPTON GP has reached the first milestone in his efforts to walk the South West Way and already he has raised £1,700.
Dr Tom Bell is using his one day off a week to walk sections of the 650 -mile journey in aid of Salt of the Earth, a charity which helps the poor in Southern India.
The GP, who is carrying a one-kilo bag of salt from the Indian saltpans for the duration of the walk, began his fundraiser in Minehead several months ago and has made it the 160 miles to Padstow, a quarter of the way through the challenge.
Local supporters heard about his progress so far at an event in Belstone Village Hall last Friday evening where Dr Bell presented a cheque for £500 to Salt of the Earth founder Murray Frankland and charity worker Charles Mosse from Throwleigh.
The evening raised a further £1,200 which will help the charity increase the quality of life of families in India whose income is often less than £250 per year.
Dr Bell will head towards Falmouth from Padstow for the second quarter of the walk, then Exmouth will be his destination before completing his trek in Poole where he will present the symbolic bag of salt to the Mayor of the town.
He said walking 15 miles every Wednesday along this magnificent coastline was realising a lifetime?s ambition.
?If that was not enough, I have met some marvellous people along the way and I have already had enough experiences to write a short book,? he said.
?I expect the walk to take me about three years and when I reach Poole I just might turn around and walk back.?
If you would like to sponsor Dr Bell or join him for a Wednesday or two email him at: [email protected]">[email protected]