A paralysed war veteran has finished a walk of almost 1000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End on crutches. 

This was all done to raise funds for bereaved military children’s charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

In 2010, while serving in Afghanistan, Mark Harding was shot through the neck. His C5 and C6 spinal segments were shattered entirely, making him paralysed from the neck down.

Despite being told multiple times that he would never walk again, Mark slowly started to regain some movement and has now completed a challenge that his doctors would have thought impossible – walking the entire length of the UK. 

Mark says: “This has been the most mentally and physically difficult thing I’ve ever done. I can’t believe it’s over, to be honest. I’ve seen parts of the country most people don’t know even exist and met so many great people on the way.

"I’ve loved seeing people’s reactions when they find out what I’m doing and the support from everyone has been incredible.

"This is obviously a massive thing for me and I’m just grateful I can help raise money for Scotty’s.”

He continues: “As a result of nerve damage from being shot through the neck, I can’t have children now. For me, this has been a way of helping everyone else's kids. It’s a way for me to have a really positive impact on children’s lives.

"Due to my injury, I have no feeling in my right leg and my foot drags when I’m tired, so I did the walk on crutches with everything I needed for the journey in a rucksack.”

It’s understood that Mark is the first disabled person to walk the entire length of the UK – a feat which he accomplished entirely unassisted. 

Scotty’s Little Soldiers Founder, Nikki Scott, said of Mark’s challenge: “He’s done it. What Mark has achieved for bereaved British Forces children and young people is absolutely incredible and I can’t thank him enough for his dedication and support."

Mr Harding added: "I’m so proud to play a small part in spreading the word for Scotty's and building up a pot of funds for you guys.

"Honestly, I watched Nikki’s video when I got into the car and I broke down crying.

"I did this walk for Lee and all of the other parents who are no longer here for their wife/husband and children every step and mile was for them. I hope I made them proud."