A RESOLUTE fundraiser has battled injury, illness and even the death of a beloved pet in just the opening days of a epic 900 mile walk.

Samuel Roberts, from Basingstoke, is walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for a Basingstoke charity - Helping Hands for the Blind.

After setting off on the adventure on Friday, July 28 - a day before he turned 35 - Samuel has so far had to deal with the loss of his pet dog Jess, a bad injury to his knee, sickness and diarrhoea, and near non-stop rain but he is still determined to finish the walk for a cause close to his heart.

Helping Hands for the Blind has previously helped his girlfriend, Sarah and he believes the work the charity does in promoting independence and opportunities for people with severe or partial sight impairments they do is hugely beneficial.

Beginning the unfortunate events,on the fifth day of his walk Samuel found out his faithful Labrador, Jess had to be put down.

He said: “She was such a faithful friend, I’m sad that I wasn’t there when it happened but we did know to was going to happen at some point, she will be greatly missed.”

He also had to conquer the elements, as it had been raining solidly for the first five days of his walk, four of which he slept outside.

Mr Roberts added:“The biggest challenge has been Bodmin Moor in the pouring rain, after a while the footpath disappeared and I had to navigate through boggy marshland and barbed wire fencing.

“My shoes were soaked through, there is only so many puddles and rain they can stand.

“Unfortunately, I slipped up and cut my knee open and had to limp the rest of the way.”

On Wednesday, August 9, Samuel reported he was keeping to schedule and had reached the Severn Bridge on time.

However, he added: “I’ve been struggling, over the last couple of days I have not been well and spent my rest day very ill.

“I think I am the unluckiest walker, everyday has been rain!”

People can donate to the cause at helpinghandsfortheblind.org.uk/helping-us/make-a-donation. To follow Samuel’s progress, go to 2017lejog.blogspot.co.uk/ Sam’s next checkpoint is Warrington, Lancashire, and he hopes to get there on Monday, August 14.