Nick Collins, a medical secretary from the NHS in Essex, is walking the entire 6,500 miles of Britain's mainland coastline to raise money for the baby loss charity Tommy's.

He's currently about to leave Falmouth and is asking locals for support with food and lodgings whilst travelling through Cornwall, he started his journey on the 14th of September 2022 and has been looking for help wherever he can.

Nick has fibromyalgia which makes the journey particularly harder as he suffers from chronic pain and mobility issues, he can't carry a heavy backpack due to permanent rib inflammation. To adapt and overcome this painful situation he decided on pushing his gear instead, with the use of a fishing trolley.

As his funds have run dry replacing equipment damaged along the way and buying extra winter gear to stay warm in the extreme weather, Nick is now entirely dependent on food and accommodation offerings along his journey.

Nick is raising money for the charity Tommy's

He is now hoping for locals to offer their gardens to camp in, access to running fresh water to fill up, or places to sleep, and offers of meals, coffee, and friendly chats. Bed and Breakfast and Hotels have been gifting him stays but an extra help is always welcome.

It's a long journey, which is expected to last two years and Nick hopes to raise £100,000 for Tommy's. You can help Nick survive on his his journey by donating here: Tommy's (buymeacoffee.com)

You can also donate to Nick's just giving page for the charity here: Nicholas Collins is fundraising for Tommy's, the baby charity.

Those wanting to offer an in-person coffee, bed, or meals can contact him via his fundraising Facebook page: NiCo Wild - Charity Coastal Walk of Britain.

Nick, 51, is close to completing around 600 miles of his trip. He explains why the trip is important to him: " I have felt a calling to do this trip, I really want to help this charity. My mum lost her second baby, and I understand how lonely and tragic the death of a baby can be,"

Nick goes on to explain a bit more about his trip so far. "In November, a series of storms broke my tent poles and shredded my tent. I have been donated a summer tent but really need a four-season one, as severe winter weather is about to set in. I have camped through storms and severe rain, and the current tent is leaking. It's been a very stressful time not knowing if the tent is going to hold up to the weather each night.

"Swapping the carrying of my gear to a fishing trolley has made the journey much harder! Much of the coastal trail is inaccessible and I am now having to resort to travelling along roads. Many are steep and winding; it's like pushing a boulder up a hill, literally.

"I am determined to keep going though! I have been overwhelmed by support so far from many coastal communities I have been to along the way; they're so critical to keeping me going. Without this help, the challenge would be over".

You can learn more about charity Tommy's here: Tommy's (tommys.org)