James hits the heights on his epic adventure

8:36am Saturday 5th July 2008

An adventure addict from Mill Hill has become the first person to walk the length of Britain and scale its three highest peaks in one epic journey.

James Ellen, 19, of Mill Way, set off on April 12, hoping to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

His route took him from John O'Groats, the most north-easterly tip of Scotland, to Land's End, at the western tip of Cornwall. And, along the way, he scaled the heights of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

"The highlight for me was completing the third and final peak on Snowdon," said Mr Ellen, who has dedicated much of his life so far to outdoor pursuits.

"And going through Glencoe, and seeing all the fantastic scenery.

"There were snow- covered mountains on one side and grassy valleys on the other."

Mr Ellen had predicted his trip would take three months but, in fact, he arrived back two weeks ahead of schedule.

"I think I was walking slightly quicker than I had planned," he said.

Mr Ellen, who is on a gap year between A-levels and university, raised around £7,000 for three charities, including Cancer Research UK after his mother received life-saving treatment for the illness four years ago.

This week he visited his former primary school, Belmont Junior, in The Ridgeway, to tell pupils about his journey.

Now, Mr Ellen is already preparing his next trip. An adult instructor with the Combined Cadet Force, he is off on camp next week.

After his gap year he will be attending the University of Westminster to study music. And next year, he says, he plans to run the London Marathon.