Sharron Taylor has been in touch to tell us about someone she caught up with at the weekend who is “really inspirational.”
The man she was talking about, Josh, is currently raising money for Air Ambulance services by walking the entire UK coastline including Northern Ireland and all inhabited islands off our shores. Josh and his dog Basil started out in Poole, Dorest and having completed Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Avonmouth, and is now in our homeland of Wales.
Sharron caught up with him in the Tenby area where, after a day on Caldey Island, he was heading West.
Josh suffers with his own mental health, and after attempting suicide in May 2020, then spending time in a coma after several resucitation attempts by Air Ambulance, he is now on a journey of rediscovery, whilst raising money for the people who saved him.
“Josh touched my heart by speaking so openly about his past and what he has gained from his experiences so far”, said Sharron.
With just his backpack, tent and dog Basil, he is hoping to complete his quest within four years and raise huge amounts of money for charity in the process. Josh is currently living on a very tight buget and welcomes all the hospitality he has received so far from strangers. From warm beds, to an evening meal or just a chat over a coffee, Josh is being offered places to stay along his route and days of work to assist him along the way.
Sharron continued: “If you happen to see Josh and his dog Basil, along the way please give him your time, offer a warm bed/meal or buy him a beer just to ignite his passion for life!”
On his Facebook page, Josh posted: “I have been living in the moment in its fullest form. The people have been amazing. After leaving St Clears, three days later I hit Tenby.”
Of Pendine he said, “the beach here holds the land speed record. 7.2 miles of beautiful beach. This is also where I met Luke and Olly who decided to take me on a night out in Tenby while also offering me a place to stay in a beautiful house situated in Saundersfoot.
“The following day I walked into Saundersfoot, the sun was shining and the atmosphere electric. Met some great people from start to finish.”
He talked of the “amazing kindness” of local people and businesses who gave him food and drink ‘on the house’ and donations too.
In Tenby, he stopped at the Three Mariners Pub of Tenby, “where I was gifted a delicious lasagne and a drink,” before going to stay with Sharron, a wedding organiser who had first met Josh through Coed Weddings and Events.
“Sharron put me up for the night, made me breakfast and then spent the day with me walking around Caldey Island. Another island ticked off the list.
What a beautiful island, inhabited by monks that have vowed their silence. Had a really great day.”
His story: https://facebook.com/JoshWalksTheUKCoast/