A man who spent two years walking the entire coast of mainland Britain wants to thank a boy in Deganwy.

Chris Jones, from Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, said he met the boy while he was on his journey.

He said the boy gave him a pound coin, which he wanted to say thank you for, as it helped him towards his fundraising target of £100,000.

He said: "It was November last year when this young man in his Minecraft top ran after me in the street to give me a pound coin.

"I wanted him to know how grateful I was for his donation.

"I felt he deserved to know that he had helped me towards my fundraising target of £100,000 to support the charity that not only saved my life when I was contemplating suicide, but is able to go on doing the same thing for others every day, thanks to the generosity of people like him."

“His donation was one of the seven-pound coins given to me by children on my travels, all of which have been given to the Freemasons’ charity the MCF.

"The charity put me in touch with a counselling service when I was at my lowest ebb, and thanks to them I’m here today.

"I walked the entire coastline of Britain to raise awareness of mental health issues and to raise money.

"I didn't know at the outset what target to set, so I decided to shoot for the moon and aim for £100,000.

"I'll be home for Christmas, by which time I shall have raised a significant proportion of that, and I hope to be able to get the remainder by writing a book about my journey 'On The Edge.'

"I called it that because I was 'on the edge' of suicide, and on the edge of the country, navigating by keeping the sound of the sea in my right ear."

Chris Jones asked the Pioneer to help him say thank you to this youngster for a £1 donation to his £100,000 fundraising targetChris Jones asked the Pioneer to help him say thank you to this youngster for a £1 donation to his £100,000 fundraising target (Image: Supplied)

Mr Jones started his walk in Skegness on New Year's Day 2023, and has walked almost 6,300 miles, worn out five pairs of boots, carried a 35kg pack throughout his journey, 'slept indoors in beds when they were offered, and wild camped when they weren't.'

He believes the conversations he has had on his travels have highlighted the extent of the struggles so many people were having with their mental health.

He said: "If you're struggling, your first step must be to ask for help.

"There's no shame in that, and it will turn your life around, just as it has mine."