Pair walk 1,250 miles to protect whales and dolphins

Two wildlife conservationists have hiked more than 1,250 miles (2,000km) across the UK to help protect whales and dolphins.

Indy Kiemel Greene, from Nottinghamshire, and Katie Monk trekked from Land’s End to John O’Groats, via the Hebrides, over the course of more than four months.

The pair managed to raise in excess of £20,000 for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT).

Speaking after they reached John O’Groats, Mr Greene said: “It was an amazing, amazing walk. Something we'll never, ever forget."

They set off from Land’s End on 10 May, trekking along the Pennine Way, before crossing over the Scottish islands of Bute, Mull and Harris.

Mr Greene, 19, from Edwinstowe, said he was not aware of anyone else having hiked to John O’Groats via the same route through the Hebrides.

The pair battled torrential downpours, strong winds and - on the Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan - hundreds of ticks in their sleeping bags.

“Our legs were crawling with ticks,” Mr Greene said.

“We estimated between 400 and 500 ticks just on our tent and in our sleeping bag. It took us days to get rid of them.”

He added: “There were some people accusing us of calling this a holiday, but if this was a holiday, I’d want my money back.”

Miss Monk, 20, from East Lothian, said she was struck by the kindness they were both shown by strangers en route.

In Wolverhampton, the pair were provided with accommodation and dinner one night, while a canal boat carried their heavy bags through the city.

The conservationists said the money raised would help to fund HWDT's educational programmes for children in the Hebrides.

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