Netley Marsh charity worker Stuart Bailey battles storms and sun on South West Coast Path for Tools for Self Reliance

CHARITY worker Stuart Bailey battled through heatwaves and torrential rain to raise more than £7,000 by completing the 630-mile South West Coast Path for Tools for Self Reliance.

Stormy gales and lashing rain was followed by a mini heatwave as Stuart trekked the route for 51 days, in aid of the Africa support organisation in Netley Marsh.

As well as the weather, Stuart had to cope with camping gear failure when his mattress developed a puncture and deflated every four hours during the night.

But he soldiered on, crossing the finish line and raising more than £7,000 for the charity which using donated tools teaches people in five African countries to learn skills they can use to find work and earn an income.

Stuart, who has worked at the Netley Marsh workshop for over four years, admitted: “This was certainly the hardest challenge I’ve ever faced, excluding becoming a father, of course.”

He set off on his journey from Minehead, making his way to north Devon and Cornwall then back to south Devon before the finish in Shell Bay, Dorset. He averaged around 15 miles per day carrying his camping gear.

Sarah Ingleby, Tools for Self Reliance chief executive, said: “This is an amazing challenge for Stuart to take on and we could not be prouder of him.

“We hope that his efforts will encourage people to contribute to Stuart’s ambitious fundraising target so we can raise the funds needed to send our next shipment to Uganda, enabling even more people to change their lives.”