TWO best friends have praised the hospitality of the people of Sussex as they trek across the entire coast of the UK.

Wayne Lewin and Tracey Hannam have reached Bognor as they make their way across the country from Folkestone on their 12,000 mile journey.

The duo set off last month on the round trip, and aim to become the first male and female friends to complete the journey together, while raising money for two different charities.

The pair have embarked on the extraordinary walk across the country to raise money for Children In Need and mental health charity Mind, as well as other local charities along the way.

Wayne said: “It’s unlike anything you’ve ever imagined doing or will ever do in your life, because it throws up so many different experiences and challenges every day.

“It is never boring and two days are never the same - we never know where we’re going to end up or who we’re going to meet.”

The full trip will take some three years to complete, but could take longer as they explore communities along the way.

Wayne, from Leeds, and Tracey, from Bath, have been making the most of their trip around the country, exploring attractions and cafes, and staying in nearby accommodation.

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On their way through Sussex, they have taken in the views from Seven Sisters, visited the Mad Cattery tea rooms in Eastbourne, shot rounds at a gun sports club in Newhaven and stopped off at many other cafes and restaurants.

Tracey said the hospitality they have received while passing through Sussex has been “unbelievable,” recalling that a couple in Camber Sands offered to let them stay at their Airbnb caravan for free in Portslade as they made their way across the coast.

She said that the pandemic and successive lockdowns over the last 18 months have made people more willing to open up and share.

"Some cafes won't even let us walk out the door without having a main meal

Wayne explained that the trip has made them both appreciate the smaller things in life.

“You don’t really need any luxuries anymore - we’ve replaced that with experiences and people and places and memories, instead of a new sofa,” he said.

They have been sharing every step of their journey across the country via their personal blogs on Facebook, with a combined following of around 8,000 people - some of whom have greeted them along their route across the country.

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