Sponsored by
Man looking to travel entire UK coastline in 50 days for breast cancer charity leaves Skegness on latest leg of 4,000 mile odyssey
Ettienne and Patricia De Beer outside Skegness Railway Station during their epic 4,000 mile challenge to circumnavigate the UK coastline. Photo by Philip Murray.
THE man behind an epic challenge aiming to raise over £100,000 for a breast cancer charity set off from Skegness this morning (Thursday) on the latest leg of his 4,000 mile odyssey.
Ettienne De Beer, 32, is just days into his ambitious quest to circumnavigate the UK coastline in less than two months using nothing more than his own manpower for propulsion.
He left Brighton on Saturday at the start of a 4,175 miles journey which will see him run and cycle the whole way.
The personal trainer from Penge, London, hopes to complete the challenge in just 50 days and aims to be back in Brighton on October 19, in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, after travelling around the coastlines of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Wight.
Ettienne is being supported on his journey by his wife, Patricia, who will be acting as his support team, following the full route in their adapted Transit van.
So far Ettienne has enjoyed the challenge.
Speaking outside Skegness Railway Station early this morning before setting off on his next leg, he said: “It’s been good so far. The Lincolnshire roads were a little treacherous because of the long straights but the weather has been great.”
He added that the parts he’d enjoyed about the journey so far were the coastal views, which “really are something to see and remember for years”.
Ettienne said: “Every time we stop people are also so generous and it blows you away.”
He added that the part of the challenge he was most looking forward to was his time in Scotland, and the spectacular scenery that he will travel through.
The pair hope to raise £100,000 for The Haven, a breast cancer charity that offers free of charge therapies, counselling and support to anyone affected by beast cancer.
Ettienne came to hear about THe Haven when Patricia visited the London Haven after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.
Patricia said: “Haven are very special and help restore your sense of individuality and give support that enables you to do that.
“I really hope we can be an inspiration to others.”
After leaving Skegness Ettienne will head north, aiming to be in Middlesbrough on September 8, St Andrews on September 11 and Ullapool on the north-west of Scotland by September 19.
To sponsor Ettienne visit www.justgiving.com/aroundtheukin50days.
To follow his progress visit www.aroundtheUKin50days.com, visit http://aroundtheUKin50.blogspot.co.uk or see @AroundtheUKin50 on Twitter.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Skegness
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North
