276 miles, 18 days and a funeral: How Mark Solan fought back tears on incredible journey; Mark Solan walked 276 miles home to Spennymoor from London after his Pride of Britain nomination for his cancer charity.
Byline: Craig Johns
Charity champ Mark Solan battled tears and heartbreak during his mammoth fundraising challenge, as reporter CRAIG JOHNS found out when he joined him for part of it.
Mark Solan returned home a hero after walking 276 miles back from London in just 18 days.
The walk was to raise money for Mark's cancer charity, the Solan Connor Fawcett Cancer Trust, which supports families across the North East whose loved ones suffer from the disease.
As he returned home from his epic journey, thousands lined the streets of Spennymoor to welcome him back. The town's Mayor also handed him a check for [pounds sterling]1,000.
Mark was walking back from London after winning the North East's Fundraiser of the Year award at the Pride of Britain awards.
He left Spennymoor for London on October 30 and set off for home after the awards the next day. It was a difficult journey, not helped by many injuries.
But the overwhelming reception he received on his return to County Durham made it all worth it.
Mark Solan discusses his walk home from London and the hero's welcome home
An emotional Mark said: "That welcome home was incredible. It's hard to put into words how much that meant.
"I didn't expect that number of people - I knew there was six people and a dog coming, so anything more than that would have been a bonus.
"That last ten miles were a real struggle but all those people walking with me just drove me on. It was amazing.
"I've never seen anything like it. I had a few tears that's for sure.
"I don't think the town's ever seen anything like that and it's incredible that we've all come together. Physically and mentally I'm exhausted, but I feel very proud.
"I'm absolutely broken now, but it just makes me more determined to keep doing what I'm doing."
They say to fully understand a person you should walk a mile in their shoes.
On his final day, as well as those who awaited his return inSpennymoor, hundreds more met with him on his final ten-mile route home and took up the final leg of his journey.
In pictures: Mark Solan's hero's return home to Spennymoor after walk from London
I had been with Mark the day before, completing six miles from Darlington to Redworth Hall in Newton Aycliffe - one of the many hotels who agreed to put him up for free for the night during his walk home.
In a true showing of his strength and character, before meeting up with me Mark had already completed four miles that morning before being picked up and taken to the...
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