When long-distance charity walker Paul Ucheck asked to pitch a tent at a Lancashire holiday park this month, he quickly realised that he’d landed on his feet.
For Paul, who is walking barefoot from Land’s End to John O’Groats, was met at Bay View Caravan Park near Carnforth with a hero’s welcome.
He was to flap about erecting a tent, for a luxury glamping pod had been arranged for his night’s stay – along with a slap-up meal in the park’s restaurant.
John, aged 71, is walking the 900-mile length of Britain – a feat he is undertaking without any kind of footwear in a bid to create a new Guinness World Record.
On route, John is raising money for Cancer Research UK after losing his wife to breast cancer, and then discovering that his daughter had contracted the same illness.
His epic journey began on 01 May – and around seven weeks later, Paul reached borders of Lancashire where he contacted Bay View in Bolton-le-Sands.
“We did a quick check, and found that Paul’s amazing trek was for real and that he had already raised thousands of pounds for charity,” said park owner Michael Holgate.
“We though he deserved more than just a patch of grass for the night, and offered him one of our luxury timber pods with heating, soft carpets and sheep’s wool insulation.
“He also ate very well in our park restaurant, and I hope we provided a memorable experience for Paul at the half-way point in his courageous journey,” added Michael.
Paul, who was born in Britain but now lives in Cape Town, South Africa, later posted on his Facebook page that he had just spent his “best ever night” of the trek.
As well as the hospitality, Paul said he also enjoyed the breathtaking views across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District for which the park is renowned.
Under the Guinness World Records rules, Paul isn’t allowed to use even plasters or bandages on his feet, and must get the signature of two witnesses each day.
As well as raising charity funds, Paul is also using the walk to recovery.
Bay View Caravan Park is the Lancashire flagship of the Holgate family which has been operating award-winning holiday parks in Cumbria for 60 years.
As well as glamping pods, the park provides caravan holiday homes torhomes and tents. There is more information at www.holgates.co.uk