While most of us celebrated the new year with poppers and champers, one intrepid fundraiser was shivering in the Outer Hebrides as part of an epic trek around the coast.

For Alex Ellis-Roswell, from Bridge, it will be his third new year away from family and friends in his quest to raise £50,000 for the RNLI by walking the entire coast of Britain and Ireland.

His route will take in a staggering 9,500 miles, the equivalent of walking from London to Australia.

The 24-year-old is already two years – and 5,000 miles – in, with about another year to go.

Speaking from Scotland, Alex says he is doing well and grateful for the better weather this winter.

“It has been drier than the last winter and I’m receiving so much warmth and support from local communities in Scotland,” he said.

“This time last year I was walking along the County Cork coast in Ireland through the wettest winter on record.

“I’m currently walking round the Outer Hebrides. It’s cold and it’s windy but most days are dry.

“I’ve spent December walking up the west coast of Scotland and round the west coast islands.

“At the start of this month I saw the sea freeze over in Craobh Haven. That was a first for me and for many of the locals, too.”

Alex, who went to Barton Court Grammar School in Canterbury until he turned 14 and was home-schooled, set off on his walk from Minnis Bay in August 2014, eight months after his father, Ray – who had dedicated much of his life to charities – passed away.

He sold his marketing business, Advert Superstore in Canterbury, packed a bag – and tent – and set off on his trip, which includes visits to all 249 lifeboat stations in England, Wales and Scotland.

He said: “I’ve raised £30,000 for the RNLI Lifeboats so far.

“I’m really grateful to everyone who has already donated, either by putting cash into my collection bucket or through my online donations page.

“The RNLI is such an incredible organisation made up of thousands of volunteers, most of whom will be on call and ready to drop everything to help those in need over the Christmas and New Year period.

“Hopefully this Christmas will go by without anyone needing the RNLI, but if need be, these volunteers will drop everything to be there on the sea, turkey dinner or no turkey dinner.”

Alex, who admits the walk has put strain on his joints, hopes to finish his trip in Minnis Bay by the end of 2017, marking the end of his three-year adventure.

To donate visit bt.com/DonateToLifeboats or follow Alex at facebook.com/alexellisroswell.