One hundred people invited to join milestone walk to celebrate Portsmouth100 and support young men's mental health
Solent Original Walks will hit a milestone on Monday on its mission to tell the city’s story and get people walking and talking
One hundred people are being invited to join a hundredth historical walk to mark the centenary of Portsmouth.
John Grant set up Solent Original Walks with a dual aim of teaching people about the city while also getting people out walking and talking to improve their physical and mental health.
And this month marks a milestone as he sets out on his 100th walk in 2026 earmarked as a special one to also celebrate Portsmouth100. Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth Abdul Kadir has already signed up for the event which will start at 10am on Monday (October 19) at the Nelson statue in Grand Parade, Old Portsmouth.
And John is looking for 99 others to join in.
‘Our latest calendar is packed with opportunities to explore Portsmouth, hear its incredible stories and walk with purpose, but there’s one date we’re particularly excited about,’ said John.
‘To celebrate with the Lord Mayor, our Mental Health Monday Nelson’s Legacy Walk will become walk number 100 and we’re hoping to bring together 100 people to join us and mark this incredible milestone.
‘Whether you’ve walked with us before or this will be your very first, we’d love you to be part of it.’
John founded Solent Original Walks to share his love of the city’s heritage and as a charity fundraiser to support organisations working in mental health and suicide prevention. The project was inspired by personal tragedy after John and his family lost their daughter Grace several years ago.
John wanted the walks to not only raise funds for local charities but help break down the stigma around mental health by encouraging honest conversations in a relaxed, outdoor setting.
There is no charge to join the walk but donations to the Band of Brothers charity - which provides support and mentoring for men aged 18-25 - will be gratefully received. Walkers can just turn up on the day but John would appreciate an email to [email protected] for anyone wanting to join so he can monitor numbers with the aim of reaching the magic 100.
John added: ‘I challenged myself to deliver 100 historical walks during the Portsmouth100 celebration year to share my love of the heritage of our amazing city, but also to speak to as many people as I could about the work of local charities supporting suicide prevention across the area.
‘The generosity of those taking part has helped raise over £10,000 for local support work, which has blown me away.
For more information go to www.solentoriginalwalks.com