Retired 82-year-old vicar is walking 850 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats - all from his home in Kibworth

Kibworth’s very own 'Captain Tom' is trekking from Land’s End to John O’Groats to support a local charity.

Dedicated Alan Pyke, 82, is putting his best foot forward as he hikes the gruelling 850-mile route from the bottom of England to the top of Scotland.

But the big-hearted retired vicar won’t be leaving his retirement home in Stuart Court, Kibworth, for even one night as he’s tackling the challenge virtually.

Alan, who moved to the town 12 years ago from Norfolk, said: “I chalk up at least 16,000 steps – eight miles – every day.

“I head out to walk around Stuart Court in three sessions.

“I go out from 9am-10am, either 11am-12 midday or in the afternoon and 7pm-8pm on a night.

“I started walking on the day the coronavirus lockdown was imposed, Monday March 23, and I haven’t missed a single day.”

He’s already raised over £800 for the Well community hub in Kibworth.

“I’ve been a trustee of the Well for the last 10 years.

“It’s a fantastic set-up and a real focus for Christian unity as well as helping out our entire community.

“We want to reinstate our café and the kitchen needs seriously refurbishing so it’s going to cost some money,” said Alan.

“Money is coming in all the time and I’ll be delighted if we can top £1,000.

“I’m pre-diabetic and I realised that I had to do more exercise.

“That really inspired me to do this.

“I’m tracking where I’ve got to on the map every night.

“I’ll reach Inverness by the weekend and should pitch up in good old John O’Groats by Monday August 10.

“I couldn’t have done this without my dear wife Jean, she’s given me incredible support.

“And Captain Tom, of course, has been brilliant – we all appreciate what he’s done for our country.”

If you would like to support Alan as he heads towards the far north please visit his fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/welljog