From the Eastbourne Herald, 9th November 2004

John, 27, from Wannock Avenue, marched across the South Downs Way in just three days and was carrying a 20kg backpack on two of them.

The hike was in aid of the JPK Project, a Willingdon based charity whose aim is to set up a residential centre in Sussex for people with learning disabilities.

He has a special interest in the charity because his sister Katie is autistic and his mother Jill is a co-founder.

John, who is joining the Army later this month, told the Gazette, ‘I’m pleased to say I completed the walk in three days and raised £631 for the JPK Project.

‘I can’t say it was all enjoyable because for the first two days the backpack made things quite gruelling.

‘On the third day I discarded the backpack and I completed the last 35 miles from Pyecombe to Eastbourne in just six and a half hours.

‘What kept me going was the knowledge that so many people were supporting me.’

John wished to thank all the people who had sponsored him on the walk