A retired vicar, who is walking across England and Wales to raise money for the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox, was given a rousing send off as he left Lowestoft.

David Foster, 68, who lives near Evesham and is a member of Rotary Club there, set off on Saturday on a 425-mile walks from the most easterly point of England at Lowestoft, to the westernmost tip near St David’s in Wales.

Lowestoft Journal: Retired vicar David Foster leaves Lowestoft on his walk across England and Wales to raise money for ShelterBox. Picture: Mick HowesRetired vicar David Foster leaves Lowestoft on his walk across England and Wales to raise money for ShelterBox. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

He is hoping to raise £12,000 for ShelterBox, and as he set off from Ness Point, Lowestoft the grandfather-of-three was cheered on his way by representatives of the three Rotary Clubs in Lowestoft.

Speaking before setting off, Mr Foster, 68, said: "I have named my coast-to-coast walk ‘ShelterBoots’ and I hope to reach St David’s in five weeks’ time.

Lowestoft Journal: Retired vicar David Foster leaves Lowestoft on his walk across England and Wales to raise money for ShelterBox. Picture: Mick HowesRetired vicar David Foster leaves Lowestoft on his walk across England and Wales to raise money for ShelterBox. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Until I retired in 2021, I was a vicar in the Church of England – and latterly in Norfolk, a trainer and mentor of new and aspiring vicars.

"As far as possible, my route will use parts of existing long-distance paths and trails, such as the Angles Way, the Cotswold Way, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

"I will stay in my hike tent, Airbnb or with friends along the way and will have my wife in a support vehicle.

Lowestoft Journal: Retired vicar David Foster leaves Lowestoft on his walk across England and Wales to raise money for ShelterBox. Picture: Mick HowesRetired vicar David Foster leaves Lowestoft on his walk across England and Wales to raise money for ShelterBox. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"I will mainly be walking alone although others will join me in stages, and I am pleased that some members of Waveney Ramblers will be walking with me for part of the first leg."

With the ShelterBox charity specialising in emergency shelter aid and supporting people who lose their homes to disaster, extreme weather events, and conflict, it was launched in 2000 by members of a Rotary Club in Cornwall.

Mr Foster said: "My goal with ‘ShelterBoots’ is to raise enough to send 20 ShelterBox’s to wherever they may be needed next."

Lowestoft East Point Rotary recently raised £2000 for ShelterBox by donations and a collection at a supermarket.

Visit http://shelterboots.uk for anyone wanting to support Mr Foster's challenge.