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Wick lifeboat team meet up with LeJog fundraisers Barry and Barney


By Jean Gunn

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Barry and Barney at Newfield Farm Equine Adventures near Wick. Picture: Hunter Rose Photography
Barry and Barney at Newfield Farm Equine Adventures near Wick. Picture: Hunter Rose Photography

A 60-year-old man and his 20-year-old horse are nearing the end of their challenge to ride from Land's End to John O'Groats in aid of the RNLI.

Barry Johnston and Barney have made it to Caithness on their epic trek, staying the first night in Berriedale and then on to Lybster, before meeting some of the Wick lifeboat team on Sunday afternoon.

Accommodation was arranged at Thrumster House that night for Barry and Andrew Feeney, who is acting as his support backup, while Barney, the coloured cob, was tucked up in a stable at Newfield Farm Equine Adventures, Milton. On Monday they completed the penultimate leg of their journey, stopping in the afternoon at Keiss, where Barnie was able to enjoy the freedom of a field in the village.

They plan to set off on the last day of their journey on Tuesday about 11am, arriving in John O'Groats around 2pm. The final day can be viewed live on Facebook on the Andrew's Journey page.

Wick lifeboat crew member Gordie Morrison with Barry and Barney outside the pop up lifeboat souvenir shop located at A New Ewe hairdressers, Thurso Street. Picture: John Taylor
Wick lifeboat crew member Gordie Morrison with Barry and Barney outside the pop up lifeboat souvenir shop located at A New Ewe hairdressers, Thurso Street. Picture: John Taylor

When Barry embarked on his trip from Land's End on July 23 he hoped to raise around £1000 for the RNLI, however he has well exceeded this target with nearly £10,000 already achieved from a JustGiving page and other donations from people he has met along the way.

Commenting on the fundraising journey which has covered over 1000miles, Wick RNLI coxswain Alan Lipp said: "It is a really novel and unusual challenge. It has certainly been worthwhile and is greatly appreciated."

Barry was presented with a bottle of Old Pulteney and a hat by the local lifeboat team members.

On Thursday's leg of the journey to Berriedale, Barry completed about 16 miles saying that was quite a long day for him as he likes to stop around mid afternoon before it gets dark. After arriving in Lybster on Friday he gave his horse a day off. "I rest Barney when I feel he needs a day off," he said.

Barry and Barney with Wick lifeboat fundraisers Lynn (left) and Dorothy Smith. Picture: John Taylor
Barry and Barney with Wick lifeboat fundraisers Lynn (left) and Dorothy Smith. Picture: John Taylor

When asked his reason for making the trip, Barry, who was put on furlough from his job as a hotel porter earlier this year, said: "It was just something I wanted to do and it is now or never."

He chose the RNLI after starting a direct debit donation to the charity during a visit to Rhyl in North Wales. "Funnily enough, I live as far away from the sea as you can be," quipped Barry. "I was happy to do it for them (RNLI)."

During the trip which has taken over four months, Barry has often had to rely on pitching his own tent where he could find grazing for the horse. However, the last time he used the tent was over a week ago while staying at Alness.

In September Barry took a 10-day break when he went home to Staffordshire to celebrate his 60th birthday.

He admitted that after that break it was difficult to get himself back on the road again. "Once I got going again I was okay," said Barry. "I have had one or two mishaps but no broken bones or anything drastic." One day he camped near a wasp nest and got stung and Barney started bucking.

Barry wearing the complimentary Old Pulteney hat given to him by the Wick lifeboat team. Picture: John Taylor
Barry wearing the complimentary Old Pulteney hat given to him by the Wick lifeboat team. Picture: John Taylor

Barry said he was "over the moon" with the amount of money raised which is largely due to the help he got with publicity once Andrew came on board and shared the story along with regular videos on Facebook. "Andrew has turned it around," he said.

Andrew, who campaigns for male mental health and stillborn awareness, took part in a charity walk himself last year from Glasgow to Land's End and has an event lined up in Orkney for next year in which Barry and Barney will join.

Andrew said he had learned about Barry's journey when his brother met him on the roadside near Moffat, and has been helping with support more or less since then and sharing news of the challenge on social media.

"It has been a real joy and a privilege to help the man," he said. "When we first met up the money raised was just over £1200, to have gone to near £10,000 in a couple of months has been absolutely phenomenal."


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