Journey ends for Johnathon at Hunstanton RNLI

Johnathon Jarvis set off from Happisburgh lifeboat station on Thursday, 28 May.

Accompanied by his parents Lee and Kayleigh, along with family and supporters, he reached Hunstanton RNLI four days later, to cheers and applause from the crowd which had gathered to greet him in the sunshine.

'The last mile was the best mile,' said Johnathon, as he settled into the station's new giant deckchair to enjoy a well-earned ice cream.

'I'm not sure what I'm going to do next year yet. I might see if I can walk a marathon in a day.'

Proceeds from this year's walk - dubbed Johnathon's Journey on social media - are still being counted.

But they look set to beat the £3,150 Johnathon raised for the RNLI last year, by walking the 42 miles from his home at Upwell, near Downham Market, to Hunstanton.

'He just got on with it, like he does and enjoyed every mile of it,' said Johnathon's dad Lee.

'He was more worried about whether we were OK than himself.'

Mum Kayleigh added: 'I've got blisters, it's the first time I've ever had them.

'Yesterday was hard, it was 18 miles but Johnathon just smashed it.'

After leaving Happisburgh on Thursday, Johnathon called in at the independent Mundesley Volunteer Inshore Lifeboat station, along with Cromer RNLI and Wells RNLI, and met some RNLI lifeguards along the .

'Every station we stopped at had some treats form him,' said Lee. 'The volunteers all came out in force to support him, which has been fantastic.'

Hunstanton RNLI visits and water safety lead Kate Craven told the crowd, which gathered to greet Johnathon, the station's lifesaving work and the work of more than 200 like it would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the RNLI.

She presented him with a framed picture taken on his walk, along with a card signed by members of the Hunstanton crew.

Notes to Editors

Volunteers at Hunstanton RNLI operate both the inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

Like those at more than 200 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, their work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.