War veteran raises more than £100,000 trekking in UK as he isolates on uninhabited island

Chris Lewis has been walking the UK coastline for almost three years

Chris Lewis is celebrating reaching his charity goal of £100,000 whilst isolating on an uninhabited Shetland island.

A war veteran on a charity trek around the UK coastline celebrated reaching his £100,000 target while isolated on an uninhabited Shetland island.

It is almost three years since Chris Lewis, 39, started the walk with his dog Jet and just £10 in his pocket, to raise funds for the UK armed forces charity, SSAFA.

Now, after more than 19,000 kilometres, he has exceeded his target by raising £110,000.

Mr Lewis said he was "speechless" and his jaw was "firmly on the floor" when he hit his goal.

"Folks, on August 1, 2017, I set off to walk the entire UK coast to raise £100,000 for SSAFA, a Veterans Charity," he posted on Facebook.

"Last night, a few months shy of three years' walking, I reached my target.

"I could not speak. I have sat and watched this unfold with such a huge amount of pride in myself and you all for donating.

"For the first time in a long time I am completely lost for words. Thank you all so much for your donations and kind words.

"Last night I achieved a dream. It's not been easy but I always believed it was possible. thank you for being part of it. Our complete love and respect. C&J x"

Mr Lewis, a former paratrooper, is presently isolating on Hildasay, an island off the west coast of the Shetland mainland.

He travelled to the remote corner of Britain when coronavirus lockdown measures were announced in March.

He was living in a tent on the Shetland mainland and took a boat to the island, where he is now staying in an old shepherd’s hut without running water, heating or electricity until the lockdown is lifted and he can continue his journey.

Mr Lewis started his trek from the Gower Peninsula near his home city of Swansea, southern Wales.

A boat regularly leaves essentials for him on the island's pier.

"I've mainly been in isolation for the past two years due to the nature of the places we've been walking," Mr Lewis told The Guardian.

“When I heard there was going to be a lockdown, I was kindly given a boat to get over to Hildasay, which is an uninhabited island.

"I thought it would be better if I wasn’t on the mainland. I didn’t want to be in the way."

Hildasay has been uninhabited since the 19th century and is now home to a few sheep and thousands of birds.

“It has really given me a chance to enjoy the island,” Mr Lewis said.

“I’m able to reflect on the walk so far, just realising what this has done to help me personally and the amount of amazing people there are in the UK.

"I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

When the lockdown is lifted he will continue to the north of Scotland and along the UK's east coast.

He began his mission to raise fund for the charity that once helped him when he was homeless.

"I have experienced first-hand what they do and I honestly don't know where I would be without their help and support," Mr Lewis said.

"I'm overwhelmed by the support and generous donations so far. Please follow my journey and come and say hello if you spot me along the way."