John's 84 - and is walking a mile every day in May for charity

A VETERAN fundraiser now 84 is walking one mile each day in May for charity.

In March 2023, John Wilton needed an urgent heart operation at St Thomas Hospital in London. His surgeon later told him he was lucky to be arrive. He had to learn to walk again.

Now, back to full health, John is raising money for The Gurkha Welfare Trust's 'Walk for Water campaign.

He said: "The Trust's water projects are life-changing for communities in Nepal. They target the poorest communities, often living in rural hill villages.

"The water projects provide clean water infrastructure and empower women and marginalised castes to take up community roles as change agents, holding leadership roles to educate villages and communities about hygiene.

"Since the Trust started providing clean water to communities in Nepal back in 1989, it has built more than  2,000 water projects, benefitting over 350,000 people. 

"I think this is a fantastic cause, and I am determined to raise as much money as possible through my daily walks."

John lives in East Dean, near Eastbourne, and his daily walks will take in the village. He will be welcoming friends along the way to support him.

John is a member of Eastbourne AM Rotary Club, a former Rotary District Governor and schoolmaster at St Andrew’s School.

He said: "I feel incredibly well. I’m a very proactive person and want to do something very positive.

“After my operation, I had to learn to walk again, first with a wheelchair, then a pusher, then with two sticks, then one.

“I feel highly motivated to take on this challenge, and for such a wonderful cause.”

He is highly regarded for his fundraising in the past and he isn’t ready to stop just yet.

In 1981,John took part in a Ten Marathon Walk - 10 marathons in 10 days - raising £2,000 for the Stoke Mandeville Appeal.

In 1986, John was part of the Eastbourne Run for Africa which raised £23,600.

And  in 1994, he joined celebrities including cricketer Graham Gooch and athlete Daley Thompson for the Daily Mail Walk. John raised £13,000.

In 2012 he also carried the Olympic Torch.

To contact John – and join him on one of his daily walks – email johnpwilton@btinternet.com