A TEENAGER will walk 65 miles around a remote Scottish island to raise money for a charity which wants to end loneliness in the elderly.

Owen Gosling, 18, will be taking on the Isle of Arran challenge in aid of Age Concern UK.

He will walk solo across eight days and aims to raise £6,000.

Owen, who has just finished his A-levels at the Colchester Sixth Form College, said he was completing the challenge to showcase the work of Age Concern, get more people out in nature and show young people are “far more positive and socially intelligent” than they are sometimes portrayed.

Owen, an ex-cadet in the Air Training Corps, said: “Walking long distances is always easier when you are in a team with other people.

“Everyone encourages each other to keep going and the company and humour takes you away from the walk distracting each other from the tough bits.

Gazette:

  • Owen Gosling

“That is why this challenge is quite difficult, I will be completely alone on my walk around the island and will not have the comfort of a supporting team to boost my morale, so this is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge.”

He added: “Many in the elderly community suffer from the mental challenge of loneliness, so it is important that this challenge highly reflects that issue and the massive and deadly effect it has on our elders.

“Age Concern aims to bridge that gap and bring the elderly community together

“This challenge is a massive thing for me as I have been planning it since

January.

“I really hope to bring Colchester together for Age Concern and also create those ties with the island itself.”

Gazette:

  • The You, The Island and I challenge

In Great Britain 2.2 million people aged over 75 are suffering from chronic loneliness.

Age Concern Colchester aims to provide services and support for older people and boost their welfare.

Owen will start his challenge on Thursday and will be documenting it on Facebook and Instagram.

To follow Owen on his trek, visit www.facebook.com/youtheislandandi.

To donate visit gofundme.com and search You, The Island and I.