Wellingborough's John reaches John O'Groats after 80-day trek battling storms, blisters and even slugs

He’s flown aeroplanes, been charged by wild elephant and travelled the world as a TV cameraman
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A Wellingborough-based TV cameraman has completed finish his 962-mile trek from Lands End to John O’Groats today (Wednesday, September 30) after eleven weeks.

John Barrow, a former military man, took to the highways and byways of Britain inspired by Captain Tom Moore's lockdown garden walk fundraiser.

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It has taken the father-of-two 80 days to stride from the tip of Cornwall to the top of Scotland, battling through storms in the Pennines, blisters and the loss of toe nails.

Sleeping in a hammock along the route, the 60-year-old has been raising money for three causes - Mind, Macmillan Cancer Support and The Film and Television Charity.

He said: "I'm feeling happy, relief, sore, a little at a loss but overall ecstatic, thankful and very uplifted and enthusiastic for positive future.

"I've had a fantastic time and met some lovely people. That's been the best bit. The worst bit was walking for seven hours through the Pennines in Storm Francis. I wasn't in any danger, it was just very unpleasant."

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John left the south coast on July 12 with an ambition to raise £10,000 for causes close to his heart .

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John prepares to leave

He said: "Covid-19 is hitting the media and entertainment industry hard - very hard. Freelance workers and the self-employed are hurting and I have many friends and colleagues who are extremely worried, be it financial pressure or the mental strain on families and individuals.

"There are a lot of conscientious and hard-working people who, through no fault of their own, are having to face up to unprecedented issues, often with little or no support.

"I have also been concerned that cancer and other patients with serious illnesses may have had to forego treatment and will need extra care when more normal times return."

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Accompanying John, who has been sleeping in a hammock for the past two months,has been accompanied on his walk by one of his daughters and four friends who surprised him by turning up unannounced.

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Hiking

He said: "My daughter walked 20 miles with me when I got to Malham Cove. She didn't tell me she had blisters. We camped in a bivvy and in the morning she woke up with slugs in her hair."

Earlier this week John was walking and felt a tap on the shoulder. Four of his friends had travelled to walk with him for the final miles.

He added: "Physically it’s the toughest thing I’ve ever done. My head says I'm 23 but my body says I'm 150. I've lost a toenail and I'm going to lose a few more. My knees really hurt and my back is complaining but I've met some fantastic people - really generous people who have offered me a bed for the night."

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Help John reach his fundraising target and visit his Go Fund Me page hereMessage from the editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

John reaches the top of ScotlandJohn reaches the top of Scotland
John reaches the top of Scotland

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