A CHARITY worker has set off on a mammoth 100-mile walk to raise awareness of the work of a project helping isolated rural communities.

Garry Simmonds, project officer with the Rural Coffee Caravan, set off from Landguard Fort at Felixstowe for an eight-day trek to Lowestoft and back.

He will camp out en route but has gladly accepted the offer of a room at the White Lion Hotel in Aldeburgh for his last night.

His aim is to raise funds and promote the Coffee Caravan charity, which sets up community cafes and information centres in rural locations in Suffolk for two hours at a time to enable isolated people to access information about vital services.

It also provides a social opportunity, a friendly ear, a chat and a cuppa.

For many people in isolated locations, the scheme is a lifeline.

Project founder Canon Sally Fogden said: “We are extremely proud of Garry and touched by his wish to go above and beyond the call of duty to support the charity in this way.”