Islander walks south coast cliffs three times on Saturday

Mark Prevel, 58, walked a total of 52 miles and 109,000 steps to raise money for the Friends of Frossard Children’s Ward, Lungevity, and The Royal Papworth Hospital.

Mr Prevel was diagnosed with chronic emphysema in 1993. He was waiting for a lung transplant before an experimental procedure to remove a large pocket of air that had formed in his lungs was successful and gave him a new lease life of life He left St Peter Port at midnight on Saturday and it took him five-and-a-half hours to reach the Fairy Ring.

By 11.30am he was back at home in St Peter Port where he had a cold bath, food, and slept for half an hour. By 2pm he was on his way his way again, reaching The Imperial Hotel at 8.30pm where he enjoyed a single pint before getting a lift home.

‘It got quite stuffy in the afternoon and near the Prevote Tower I had to stop for a bit as I felt dizzy,’ he said.

Four people took it in turns to walk with him at different stages.

‘Along the way I saw six hedgehogs and endless rabbits were bolting as I had a good head torch.’

The challenge was as much about psychology as anything, he said. He will be 60 in September next year and plans to mark the occasion by walking the full length of the cliffs 10 times in a week.

‘I know now that if I can do it three times in a day I’ll be able to do it 10 times in a week.’

When he woke up yesterday morning, Mr Prevel said his only problem was a sore ankle which he no longer felt after he had taken the dog for a walk.

He said he would know how much his latest challenge had raised in a few days’ time.

• To donate, or for further information, go to papaprev.org.