Kind-hearted man raises �1,000 by covering 192 miles

An optician who has dedicated the last five years to assisting the community, has completed a mammoth trek for charity.

Phillip James, 45, who owns Vision Direct on Acton Lane, Harlesden, completed the 192 miles spanning the width of the country, from the coast of Cumbria to �Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

The 16-day trip raised more than �800 in aid of Fight for Sight, a charity which funds �research projects into eye diseases. Mr James is one push away from the magical target figure of �1,000.

He said his experiences of working in Harlesden encouraged him to choose the charity. “I have seen many children come to me in �Harlesden with damage to their eyes but it’s often too late to help.

“There used to be routine eye checks available for children in school but these are no longer available.

“I wanted to raise money so more work can be done in the future to help people of all ages and this walk is something I always wanted to do so I thought, why not now.”

During the “hairy” journey he �battled against knee high mud and 45 degree slopes.

He said: “There were some very hairy moments, my brother joined me for one leg and we walked down Striding Edge, which is in the Lake District.

“Thankfully it was quite a calm day because there is a 45 degree drop at either side so we had to be very careful but it was a beautiful view none the less.

“It’s a really multicultural and cosmopolitan area; since I started I have seen residents from all over the world.”

To sponsor Phillip visit: www.justgiving.co.uk and search for Phillip James.