One man and his dog landed in Bude last week on their epic 8,000 mile hike around the UK Coast and it’s islands to raise money for RNLI.

Tim Jones and his best friend 22-month-old staffy/boxer cross Monty are aiming to raise £500,000 for the RNLI.

Tim has spent a large part of his life living on the coast and was a keen follower of the RNLI and admirer of the work they do. Walking the coastline, where everyone is already invested in the RNLI was just the perfect combination for Tim and his fundraising plan.

When Tim’s life threw him a curve ball he decided he could either sit in a corner and cry about it or set off and do something epic and he chose the latter. For Tim, the decision to support the RNLI was an easy one.

Tim and Monty set off from Exmouth RNLI on January 23 and have already made incredible progress. They have averaged around 60 miles a week and have even ventured over to the Isles of Scilly.

Tim said he is loving the experiences and that it is the “adventure of a lifetime for one man and his dog”.

On their journey the pair stopped off in Bude to meet the RNLI team and were delighted with the warm welcome they received.

Tim told the Post: “Monty and I arrived at RNLI Bude yesterday (March 11) for a quick meet with some of the lads and to get warm and dry after being soaked through. My accommodation for both nights of my stay in Bude is provided by Debs Holloway. Big thank you to her for putting up with us!

“Local businesses who offered support include: Ian French, The Ultimate Fish Co. (Dinner, thurs night), The Barge Bude (breakfast Friday), The Split Bean (lunch Friday) and Crooklets Beach Cafe (tomorrow, on way out of Bude.)

“Massive thanks to all, for supporting Monty and I, and the RNLI.”

Tim’s adventures are documented on his Facebook page ‘Supporters of Tim ‘Walking the British coastline for RNLI‘ www.facebook.com/groups/691090702501293/?ref=share

His Just Giving page can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/timsrnli