Torquay school teacher conquers 203-mile trek

Last year 54-year old special school teacher Edward Thompson from Torquay set out to walk round Dartmoor on foot and climb 100 tors in 10 days for charity while living rough on the moor. 

203 miles and over 105 hours of walking later, he had conquered 156 tors, walking at an average speed of 1.93 mph, and raising over £3,000 for the charity Dream-A-Way in the process. 

Now, on the back of that success, Edward has set his sights on visiting a marathon 200 tors, hills and rocks in 10 days, a feat that will require him walking for up to 12 hours a day in order to complete a gruelling 250-mile round trip.

Edward will be setting out from Widecombe-in-the-Moor on Tuesday 2 April, walking in a clockwise direction around the moor, and finishing back in Widecombe on Thursday 11 April, tired but hopefully triumphant.

Edward, a veteran Ten Tors leader, will be taking in most of the tors he visited last time, plus a few he missed out, together with some of Dartmoor’s lesser known tors. 

His round trip of Dartmoor will pause each evening for a few hours of well-earned rest at a different Dartmoor pub, where he would be delighted to be joined by anyone wanting to drop by and offer a few words of support.

In between training for his stern challenge, Edward will be passing another milestone in preparing pupils from Combe Pafford School for the Jubilee Challenge in May for a mammoth 25th time.

Dream-A-Way, the charity Edward is raising money for, provides holidays and outings for disabled people of all ages, 98% of monies pledged going directly to helping those in need.

Jeff Merrett, the charity’s Chairman said “This really is another unbelievable challenge and Dream-A-Way are honoured that Edward has again chosen to raise funds for us. We all wish him well and look forward to popping in to join him for a well deserved pint on route!” 

Edward is aiming to raise at least £3,000 this year, including £2,000 through on-line donations at www.virginmoneygiving.com/dartmoor200tors where a daily blog will be published leading up to, during and after the walk and anyone interested will also be able to follow Edward’s progress tor by tor via Twitter (Edward Thompson@dartmoor200tors).

Full details of the route will soon be available on the Dream-A-Way website (www.Dream-A-Way.org) along with sponsor forms, or alternatively contact Edward via e-mail at dartmoor200tors@gmail.com. 

Edward would like to thank all those who supported him last year, and is appealing to anyone who would like to add their support this year to make a pledge, however small, via the Virgin Money Giving website.