Warm welcome for Lejog charity walker at John O'Groats from members of the Wick Marie Curie Care Fundraising Group

A Land's End to John O'Groats (Lejog) walker was welcomed at his final destination by local members of the charity he was raising funds for.

On April 20, Mark Schofield from Berkshire set off from Land’s End on a walking adventure spanning the length and breadth of the UK. Eight weeks later on Tuesday June 15 an "exhausted but elated" Mark arrived in John O Groats amid "glorious Caithness sunshine", said Barbara Nicol from the Wick Marie Curie Care fundraising group (WMCCFG) – one of the charities that the walker was raising money for.

Barbara, who is on the group's fundraising committee, said: "Along the way, Mark was accompanied at different times by family members, friends and fellow walkers but he completed many sections alone. His motivation was to walk in memory of two close friends and to raise money for charities close to the hearts of their families – Marie Curie Care and British Heart Foundation."

To date Mark has raised over £11,000 and his 1200-mile route took him across country on many occasions, following several well known National Trails and walking routes including St Cuthbert’s Way and the West Highland Way. He completed the last 12 miles of the journey from Keiss on the John O Groats Trail.

Mark, along with his three companions, Jo Taylor, Dexter Barnes and Ben Hart, received a warm welcome at John O Groats from members of the WMCCFG who were waiting to congratulate him on "this amazing achievement".

Mark said: “There have been many highs and a few lows on this journey but I have been overwhelmed by the support, kindness, goodness and generosity of so many people on the way. They have looked after me and contributed to this amazing sum of money.“

Anyone wishing to donate to Mark's charity causes should follow this link to his Virgin Giving Money page at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/markschofield

Mark's journey can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mark.schofield.376

Related article:

Groats gateway officially opens

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.