Coast path 630 mile walk raises thousands for charity

A DAWLISH man has raised more than £4,000 for charity walking the entire 630 miles of the South West Coast Path.

Nick Sant, who works as part of the grounds team at Cofton Holidays, set off from Minehead in Somerset, and has now completed the route.

When he reached Dawlish, with. 507 miles behind him, he was met by friends, colleagues and residents who gathered at Cockwood harbour to cheer him on.

After a night in his own bed at home and a cooked breakfast at Cofton Holidays, he set off on the final leg, taking the ferry from Starcross to Exmouth to begin the final 123-mile stretch to South Haven Point in Dorset, where he completed the walk exactly one month after setting off.

His adventure raised more than £4,200 for Cofton’s 2026 charity partner, Children’s Hospice South West.

Nick stayed in hostels and B&Bs and hostels, averaging around 20 miles a day despite wet and windy weather and blistered feet.

Tintagel was his favourite place and the fish and chips in Salcombe were his best dinner, although Cornish pasties have kept him going for much of the walk.

Nick said: ‘It was brilliant to come through Dawlish and see so many familiar faces cheering me on.

‘Getting to sleep in my own bed was a treat.

‘The support from friends, colleagues and people I’ve met along the path has kept me going.

'I’m amazed by how much everyone has donated.’

Nick’s Cofton colleague Angela has kept followers on his JustGiving page up to date.

He also called in at Children’s Hospice South West’s Teignmouth branch as he passed through the town.

Cofton Holidays Director Roger Jeffery said: ‘We’re all incredibly proud of Nick.

‘Walking more than 600 miles to support a charity that means a great deal to us is an extraordinary achievement.

‘It was great to see the community turn out for him.

‘We’re delighted by the total so generously donated for Children’s Hospice South West.’