Forty days, 117 buses, 1,650 miles: man completes charity trip round England | Charities

A 70-year-old man has raised almost £2,000 for charity by completing a 40-day challenge to travel the length and breadth of England entirely by bus.

Stephen Chitty, from Watford, Hertfordshire, travelled 1,650 miles on 117 buses. He started and finished his ambitious journey in Watford and travelled to English cities including Newcastle and Norwich.

Chitty has raised more than £1,900 for the Christian charity Mercy Ships, which helps to provide free surgeries to children.

Speaking to the Watford Observer, he said: “I have been so encouraged on my route by people’s kindness. Everyone has been so encouraging and I have met so many people who have noticed my Mercy Ships T-shirt and asked me more or have volunteered themselves.

“It has been tiring but rewarding. Every day is different. The fact that there is a good prayer team behind me does help me keep going.”

Chitty left Watford on 26 June and used his free bus pass to head to Kent along the south coast to the south-west of England before heading up through the Midlands to the north of England.

He then travelled down the east coast, into Essex and back to Hertfordshire.

“I really appreciate all those who have been sponsoring me and giving me a bed for the night and also for all the support I received, including all those who prayed for me on my journey,” he said.

Chitty said people offered him rooms for the night and he was given an Airbnb for free in Dover.

His daughter, Lizzie Chitty, a nurse who works at Nottingham university hospital, has volunteered for the charity.

She said her father “wanted to do something special to mark his 70th birthday with each of his three children” after visiting her on a hospital ship, and also wanted to support the charity.