Runner raising money for MIND charity completes Dorset leg

Dan Jones started out in Lowestoft, in Suffolk and plans to run all the way to Land’s End, the most easterly to the most westerly points in England  – all for the charity MIND.

After battling through Storm Ciaran, which Dan said ‘almost blew him off a cliff’ at the Seven Sisters, and a leg injury that put him out of action for three weeks, he is now on the South West Coast Path.

Dan recently completed the Dorset section of the path and was ‘blown away’ by the scenery.

Dan Jones on his charity run along the South West Coast Path in Dorset (Image: Dan Jones)

He said: “I must admit the challenge of the South West Coast Path wasn't something I'd intensely researched before starting the run, I think ignorance was definitely bliss.

“I've been absolutely blown away by the stunning sights along the path. The first day through Studland and Swanage was really tough in driving rain, but well worth the challenge.

Dan added: “For me the highlights in Dorset would absolutely be those I saw running through Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach and the Golden Cap.

“The scenery changes so much each day along the Dorset coast which has managed to distract me from all of the hills.”

Chesil Beach was one of the highlight for Dan whilst running through Dorset (Image: Dan Jones)

So far Dan has raised £1,058 of his £1,500 target for the charity which means a lot to both him and his partner Felicity, who is following behind in a converted campervan they call Mavis.

Dan said: "I've struggled with my mental health in the past and wanted to fundraise towards the incredible work they do to support people dealing with mental health issues in their time of need.

"Felicity, my partner, also suffers from PTSD following a car accident a few years ago, so this adventure is also a personal challenge she wanted to set herself, by driving our converted campervan van, and was another reason we chose MIND."

The pair now have just over a couple hundred miles to go after deciding to push past Land's End to Minehead and complete the entirety of the South West Coast Path.

Dan and Felicity have decided to complete the entirety of the South West Coast Path and will finish in Minehead (Image: Dan Jones)

Dan continued: “I've had amazing support along the way including through Dorset.

"I've now reached Dartmouth and covered 880 miles, running through 8 counties. I've got another 219 miles to go until Land's End.

"The run has been an amazing opportunity to run with strangers who've contacted me through social media, and also see the incredible coastline which we have right outside our front doors.

"Whilst the initial plan was to finish in Lands End, I've managed to convince Felicity to support me to go all the way to the end of the South West Coast Path in Minehead.

"By the end of that, I'll have climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest four times.”

To donate to Dan's cause visit his Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/dan-easterly-to-westerly 

Or follow his progress on Instagram www.instagram.com/leftfootrightfootrepeat?igsh=MTR3cTkxMTMxajd1dg==