THROUGH your letters page I would like to highlight the generosity I encountered from individuals and businesses in the Purbeck area of Dorset during my recent 56-day, 710-mile charity walk along the South West Coast Path.

The walk, entitled Jim’s Journey, has raised around £8,000 so far for South West charities FORCE and Over and Above, for the benefit of cancer patients and their families.

A number of accommodation providers laid the platform for the fundraising by offering me free or discounted overnight stays. In Purbeck I was very grateful for the support of Burngate Farm in West Lulworth and Langton Manor Farmhouse in Langton Matravers.

People in your area have kindly made donations via Virgin Money Giving and directly to me during the walk.

I was also struck by the many other acts of goodwill and selflessness I came across that helped me on my way, all in the name of charity.

These included free lifts by accommodation owners to and from the coast, the donation of a free item of camera-cleaning equipment in Kimmeridge and the useful advice people gave me about local walks and amenities.

Locals and tourists alike were so accommodating and good-hearted.

It’s nice to forget about the turmoil in the world for a moment and celebrate the generous nature of so many individuals and businesses in Purbeck and beyond.

JIM BRAY

Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton, Devon

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