Kessock RNLI welcomes intrepid walker Alex
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KESSOCK Lifeboat Station has welcomed a charity walker whose 9,500-mile journey has been inspired by the bravery of his late dad.
Alex Ellis-Roswell’s coastal walk of the UK, Ireland and Isle of Man reached its latest fundraising target of £50,000 for the RNLI when he reached the lifeboat station at North Kessock this week.
Having been put up for the night previously in Cromarty, Alex set off mid morning making his way first through the coastal villages of Rosemarkie then Fortrose and Avoch before reaching Munlochy and finally making his way under the A9 and into North Kessock.
Alex arrived at Kessock Lifeboat Station just after 8pm on Monday, where he was welcomed by the volunteer crew there.
Alex started his journey on August 3, 2014 with an aim to raise as much money as possible for the RNLI, on what he anticipated would be a four-year project.
Alex from Margate in Kent has, so far, walked over 8,000 miles and soon smashed what became his first target of £10,000.
His route sees him go clockwise around Britain and Ireland, including the Isle of Man, the Western and Northern Isles.
As he left Wick lifeboat station and turned south, he described himself as being on the home straight - despite still having 1,500 miles to walk.
After the passing of his father, Sir Raymond Ellis, at Christmas in 2013, Alex decided to walk the entire coast of Great Britain.
He sold his business, gave up his flat and somewhat comfortable lifestyle, and set off on the journey of a lifetime.
Before ill health, his father had spent much of his life dedicated to charity work and fundraising, which spurred Alex on to set himself a goal of raising £10,000 for the RNLI.
"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," said Alex, who has at times suffered with knee pain during his walk.
On reaching this latest target Alex said: "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.
"The target now is £100,000. Any other target would seem a bit half-hearted, although this will be a really daunting target to reach."
Alex continued: "I’ve got six months left to go down the east coast of Scotland, then England and through London. So I’m determined to see if the next target can be reached before I get home later this year."
After being fed and put up for the night by crew members from Kessock, Alex is making his way to Loch Ness lifeboat station and then onwards along the Moray coast to Buckie lifeboat station.
If you see Alex on your travels, with his yellow jacket, bulging backpack and RNLI collection tin, please give him your support, encouragement and even a donation.
• You can follow Alex’s journey around the UK by visiting his Facebook page www.facebook.com/alexellisroswell or donate by visiting https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/longwalkround
