MAGICIAN Colin Lanfear returned to the Forest on Sunday after a gruelling but uplifting 5,400-mile charity trek around the coast of Britain.

Colin, from Alvington, set off in May on the adventure to raise money for an African charity.

He was greeted by friends and family at a welcome home party at The Woodman pub in Parkend on Sunday afternoon (September 30).

Children’s entertainer Colin, who performs as Magic Colin, has raised more than £9,000 for a charity in Ghana.

Riding his trusty road bike, Colin cycled the length of Hadrian’s Wall – twice – climbed the highest peaks of Scotland, Wales and England – Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike – and visited the four points of the compass while north of the border.

He told the Review: “Over the past six years, we’ve raised over £50,000 for a new building for the Adoley Centre in rural Ghana which offers support for adults and children with disabilities. The building is up now and it’s just a question of finishing it off.

“My goal was to raise £15,000 for Farm 4Life, the charity that runs the centre, so we’re well on the way and I know there are donations still to come in.

“I’m hoping to raise more money, including from charitable trusts, and I hope that some local businesses may come forward to sponsor us too.

“There were lots of reasons for taking this trip.

“I’ve talked about cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats before, but it was always going to be next year.

“When a family friend died, I realised that you may not have next month, let alone next year.

“This was a way to do something I wanted and raise money for a cause close to my heart at the same time.”

Far from having a defined route, Colin took detours based on advice from people he met or to visit particular places of interest.

“Anything quirky or bits of coast that stick out, I had to follow,” he added.

“I set off clockwise around the coast and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way.

“I never knew where I would sleep, but it always worked out.

“So many strangers have put me up for the night.

“I met a Muslim woman in the grounds of Liverpool Cathedral who told me I’d find a bed for the night at the local mosque.

“And moments afterwards I met a woman from Norfolk who told me to look her up when I got there.

“Two months later she got in touch to ask where I was and, when I finally reached her, she gave me a hot meal, bed and breakfast and invited me back with my wife, Sharon.

“I had arranged a couple of things ahead of time, but I also really wanted to just bump into someone I knew.

“I was amazed when it actually happened in Mevagissey in Cornwall, after I’d got lost and ended up cycling in circles – I made it to the harbour and there were Robin Gwynne and Louise Saunders, friends from Whitecroft.”

“There were some low points. I felt very isolated and lonely at times in a tent on my own in the dark, but I saw this trip as an antidote to depression, which I have suffered from, and as an affirmation of life.

“I never considered giving up, however challenging it got, because I loved it.”