You may see an armoured Roman soldier pushing a chariot through Preston and Blackpool

It’s not every day you see an armoured Roman soldier pushing a chariot through Preston or Blackpool but if you do, Josh needs your support.

Fundraiser Josh Garman will set off in September for a two-month challenge across Britain, wearing full Roman armour and pushing a homemade Roman chariot.

Josh , 27, from Godalming, Surrey, is planning to walk the entire length of the country, and will drop off in Preston and Blackpool along the way.

His costume will include traditional sandals and a helmet and plume. He will also push a dog trailer, which has been converted into a Roman chariot — including a shield, banner, half-eaten fruit, and Roman coins.

Josh was inspired to undertake this challenge after journeys through Egypt, meeting Sudanese refugees who have fled there. He was devastated by the frequent reports of thousands of families arriving in neighbouring countries without any belongings or support, as well as pregnant women facing the dangerous journey alone.

After returning home, he was lucky enough to meet Giel Malual in London, who recently walked 900 miles across Britain to raise money for schools in Sudan and South Sudan. Growing close to the British-Sudanese communities, Mr Garman decided to partner with the charities Goodwill Caravan and Steps for Sudan to raise money for those affected by the conflict.

This unusual fundraising challenge follows on from Mr Garman’s previous adventures and fundraisers. In 2021, he cycled 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain in six months towing a homemade caravan that he slept in. He was able to raise £45,000 for children with rare diseases.

He has also cycled with E.T. (yes, the alien) and recently completed walking expeditions in Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, China, and Australia.

Josh believes the Roman armour will draw attention and demonstrate how far he is willing to push himself to raise much-needed funds.

He said: “The walk will be a heavy, sweaty, and tiring challenge for me, but nothing compared to the journeys undertaken by countless displaced Sudanese refugees.”

“I believe the people of Britain are kind-hearted and provide some of the best hospitality in the world for adventurers like me. I learnt this in 2021, cycling the coast of Britain. Countless people offered me a place to sleep, food to eat, and even cycled with me.”

Along his north to south route, he will pass through countless communities. Josh is asking people not only to donate, but to spread the message of his journey, with the hopes of food or a place to sleep along the route. He also encourages others to join him and walk with a Roman for the day.

His route plan is as follows:

Start (Sat 5th Sept): Dunnet Head

• Inverness
• -Perth 
• -Edinburgh
• -Trimontium Roman Fort
• -Hadrian's Wall
• Lake District 
• Blackpool 
• Preston 
• -Liverpool  Manchester 
• Leeds 
• York 
• Sheffield
• Leicester 
• Birmingham 
• Cirencester Amphitheatre
• Bath
• London 

Finish: Portchester Roman Castle

Donations can be made on the Goodwill Caravan fundraising page: https://goodwillcaravan.donorsupport.co/page/romanwalk