Walking the Entire UK Coastline for SSAFA
On 1 August 2017, former paratrooper Christian Lewis set off from Swansea to walk the entire coastline of the UK.
It was a complete spur of the moment decision: he left with just £10 in his pocket, two days worth of rations, a broken tent and a borrowed pair of walking boots that didn’t fit properly.
At the time, he had hit rock bottom; a completely broken man, suffering with terrible anxiety and depression.
Chris had no idea how long it would take or if it was even possible; his only plan was to return a happy man, raising funds and awareness for the veterans charity, SSAFA along the way.
What followed was the adventure of a lifetime which turned his life around. He adopted his beloved dog, Jet, nine months into the journey who became his devoted companion.
He faced serious challenges along the way battling hunger, injury (including having to pull his own tooth out with a rabbit snare), extreme weather conditions and incredibly challenging terrain in the most remote corners of the UK.
He spent three months on the uninhabited island of Hildasay with no fresh water, food or electricity. It was in these wildest landscapes that he found happiness, pride and self-respect.
Soon after, his life was to take an unexpected turn once again when he met Kate, a fellow adventurer, at the bottom of a cliff.
It was after their second date up in Inverness that Kate decided to stay, making the impulsive decision to pack in her former life and join him on the walk full-time there and then, straight into the harsh reality of a Scottish winter in a tent. She had no idea at the time she would be walking for nearly three years.
Together, they walked thousands of miles, spent another 4 month lockdown surviving in a Scottish woodland and lived for years night after night in a tent. Then came the biggest twist of fate of all; the couple then welcomed their baby son, Magnus along the way.
Undeterred, they continued with their newborn baby in tow and finished the walk in July 2023 with an army of followers crossing the line behind them having raised over £500,000 for charity. By the end of his walk, both Chris and Kate had gained more than they could ever have imagined possible.
The journey received worldwide attention as well as a BAFTA-winning documentary. The family appeared on New Lives in the Wild with Ben Fogle whilst on the journey and most recently, their story has been told on the acclaimed BBC1 series, Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey.
SSAFA is an incredible charity that provides vital support to the armed forces community in countless ways. When Chris left the military to raise his daughter on his own, he faced overwhelming challenges that brought them to the brink of homelessness. The weight of it all led to severe anxiety and depression. At first, Chris was too proud to ask for help but SSAFA didn’t give up on him. Their persistence meant that he and his daughter finally received the support they so urgently needed.
When Chris set off to walk the entire UK coastline, he chose to do it in support of SSAFA as a way to give back to the organisation that had stood by him. He also knew there were countless others, just like him, flying under the radar and in need of that same support.
How does SSAFA help?
SSAFA supports the armed forces community in many ways, with a strong focus on providing direct, practical help to individuals facing physical or emotional challenges.
Addiction, relationship breakdown, debt, homelessness, post-traumatic stress, depression, and disability are just some of the issues that can impact members of the armed forces community, often becoming most apparent when they leave military life and transition into 'Civvy Street'.
SSAFA is committed to helping these brave men and women overcome hardship, regain stability, and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. They also, crucially, support the families of those who have and continue to serve.
We are so proud that our 6 year journey around the UK coastline raised over £500,000 for SSAFA. The charity will forever remain very close to our hearts.
Find out more