A FORMER Launceston College student is nearing the finish line of his huge Land’s End to John O’Groats walking challenge, raising money for the charity Global Angels.

Speaking to the Post last week, Richard Harries, who set out on his challenge early last month, said he is in Scotland, and is due to complete the walk in the next couple of weeks.

Richard, in his 60s, lived in Launceston until the age of 19 and now lives in the Lincolnshire town of Market Rasen with his wife Anna.

He still comes back to Launceston three or four times a year to visit his mother Jenny, who lives at Pendruccombe House.

Richard has worked at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby as a cardio-radiologist for the last 33 years, now part-time, and spends the rest of his time doing triathlons and other outdoor activities.

He passed through Launceston on his walk, and said it has gotten easier as time has gone by: “It’s mostly been very good. My body suffered quite a bit the first couple of weeks with blisters and sore legs,” but he said his body has adapted, and he is now ahead of schedule.

He added: “The most wonderful thing has been all the lovely people I have met, people stopping to chat and give me donations.”

Global Angels carries out charity work in some of the poorest places on earth. Since its inception in 2005, it has provided safe drinking water to more than 160,000 people, provided medical care to another 170,000 and trained 60 medics.

More than two million meals have been supplied through a school feeding programme and more than 13,500 children are being educated in schools or classrooms built by Global Angels.

Currently a pilot programme in Tsavo, Kenya, is bringing water, education, energy and social empowerment to 2,000 people with a projected roll-out to 20,000 by 2023.

Richard chose to fundraise for the charity as it is ‘a small charity run on simple lines, all donations go directly to the projects’.

It is supported by Princes William and Harry, Richard adding: “I have great respect for what they do.”

Richard is on his way to raising £2,000, but would like to reach £5,000.

To donate to Richard, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-harries4 or to find out more search ‘Richard’s Land’s End to John o’ Groats Walk 2018’.