Crash victim to hike Sussex coast in armour

HomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindTech NowHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of the Earth EarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesSite searchHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersCrash victim to hike Sussex coast in armour13 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleGav CollinsGav Collins was told he would never walk again A car crash victim who said he was told he would never walk again is to hike the Sussex coast in full armour.

Gav Collins, who goes by the name of the Strolling Saxon, suffered spinal injuries in 2023 after his vehicle was struck by another while stationary.

On Saturday the 55-year-old fundraiser is beginning a 10-day trek along the Sussex coast from Chichester to Rye.

It will take in the 960th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings on 14 October.

Initially he thought his challenge would be 117 miles. Then he realised he was looking at the road route.

The walking route is 210 miles – 93 more than he initially planned for.

Collins, from Heathfield, East Sussex, said he wants to raise a minimum of £500 for homeless charity Knight Support, the Trussell Trust and Harbourside Gymnastics Academy, In Newhaven.

He said: "I'm feeling excited but apprehensive at the same time. It's a massive thing to do once you look at it – the amount of kit I'm taking."

That includes armour, chain mail and a shield. Together they weigh 35 to 40 kg (6st 4lb) .

He will also be carrying food, first aid and a tent.

"In my mind this is my holiday from work," Collins said.

"Other people go to France, I'll be walking 21 miles a day. I know I'm going to get knee and back problems from doing this but if it was easy everyone would be doing it."

Collins estimated he was going to have to consume 6,000 calories a day so he did not lose too much weight.

He is expecting to finish at at St Mary's church, Rye, at noon on 19 October.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.