AN UNUSUAL tiger will be crossing into Cornwall this weekend as part of an extraordinary 1,000-mile walk across Britain.

Wildlife guide and photographer Paul Goldstein is 826 miles into his epic fundraising challenge, carrying a nine-foot tiger on his back every step of the way.

As part of the 2 Legs for 4 campaign, the walk is raising funds for frontline tiger conservation in India and Bhutan through UK conservation charity Explorers Against Extinction.

Goldstein began at Holyhead, Anglesey, on July 7 and completed the first 500 miles at Southend-on-Sea at the end of July. He resumed the challenge on August 20 following a pre-arranged wildlife guiding expedition in Alaska and is due to finish at Land's End on Saturday, September 12.

Paul and the tiger have completed more than 50 marathons together, including the Everest Marathon in 2022, but he maintains that this is by far their most gruelling challenge.

Since reaching the south coast over the Bank Holiday weekend, he has battled driving rain, 35-knot headwinds and some punishing coastal terrain, as well as managing an increasingly painful lower back with anti-inflammatory painkillers and physio.

Despite the punishment, Goldstein has passed the 800-mile milestone and has raised more than £36,000 towards his £50,000 target.

As the challenge entered the South West, TV presenter and adventurer Simon Reeve joined his friend on the trail, walking a half marathon with him between Bridport and Beer. Reeve backed Goldstein to complete the challenge despite the increasingly punishing conditions.

He said: “Paul will see this through to the end. Even with broken claws, I sense he will make it.”

“The world is in a tricky state and there’s a lot of beautiful, magnificent life out there that needs passion and fury to care for it and protect it - and I’ll tell you what, Paul’s got both.”

Paul is due to cross into Cornwall tomorrow (Sunday, September 6), with just six days remaining before the finish at Land’s End.

Paul’s remaining schedule and mileage:

  • Saturday, September 5 – Moretonhampstead to Tavistock (848 miles)
  • Sunday, September 6 – Tavistock to Liskeard (870 miles)
  • Monday, September 7 – Liskeard to St Austell (893 miles)
  • Tuesday, September 8 – St Austell to East Portholland (911 miles)
  • Wednesday, September 9 – East Portholland to Maenporth, Falmouth (932 miles)
  • Thursday, September 10 – Maenporth, Falmouth to Lizard (955 miles)
  • Friday, September 11 – Lizard to Penzance (980 miles)
  • Saturday, September 12 – Penzance to Land’s End (1,000 miles)